Outcome of men and women after atrial fibrillation and stroke

Temporal Trends in Mortality Related to Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation in the United States: A 21-Year Retrospective Analysis of CDC-WONDER Database

AIMS

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is one of the most strongly associated risk factors for stroke. Our study aims to analyze changes in mortality from 1999 to 2020 in patients with AF and stroke.

METHODS

Using the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC-WONDER), we retrospectively analyzed annual age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per million from 1999 to 2020 in stroke patients with AF. Temporal trends were analyzed, and Annual Percentage Change (APC) was calculated using the JoinPoint regression model across variations in demographics (sex, race) and regional subgroups.

RESULTS

Around 490 000 deaths were reported between 1999 and 2020 from stroke and AF across the 25-85+ age group. AAMR initially decreased until 2008 (APC = -0.9), followed by an increase till 2020 (APC = 1.1). Women had a higher AAMR than men throughout the years. Non-Hispanic white patients had a marginally higher AAMR than all other races and ethnicities. The highest AAMR was observed in the western region. States like Vermont, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Minnesota, and West Virginia were in the top 90th percentile, while Nevada, Louisiana, Florida, New York, New Mexico, and Arizona were in the bottom 10th percentile. Nonmetropolitan areas had consistently higher AAMRs throughout the 2 decades.

CONCLUSION

An overall rise in mortality has been observed in stroke and AF patients, with a greater surge in 2019. The need for healthcare policy changes, especially in areas with high mortality and awareness of healthier lifestyle factors, can be an essential preventative measure to help mitigate growing mortality rates.

Systematic review on sex differences for drug use after stroke

INTRODUCTION

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have synthetized the existing knowledge on sex-differences for the risk of stroke, the most recent ones highlighting an increased risk of stroke for women. However, whether there are sex differences in post stroke treatment in real world setting is not known. We therefore conducted a systematic review on this subject.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All observational studies on sex-differences in poststroke drug use published until 20/04/2021 were identified from PubMed and Scopus. Articles were selected and assessed by two independent readers; a third resolved disagreements. Data extraction was performed using a standardized form; articles quality was assessed using the STROBE guidelines. The study is registered on PROSPERO: CRD42021250256.

RESULTS

Of the 604 identified articles, 33 were included. Most were published before 2015 and presented methodological limitations. These limitations differentially affected studies with statistically significant and non-significant results, questioning the reliability of conflicting results. The exploration of sex-differences in drug use varied between therapeutic classes (articles focusing on thrombolytics: 25; antithrombotics: 23; on antihypertensive: 13; lipid-lowering drugs: 9). After stroke, women were found less likely to be prescribed antithrombotics in 48% of the articles investigating this class, and lipid-lowering drugs in 56%. Thirty-one percent of the studies concerning antihypertensive drugs reported the opposite.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

In women, a lack of use of antithrombotics and lipid-lowering drugs after stroke seem to emerge from this review. Conflicting results regarding sex-differences might relate to methodological limitations in studies with no statistical differences, and advocate for the conduct of newer and more comprehensive research.

Sex Differences in Care Need and Survival in Patients Admitted to Nursing Home Poststroke

BACKGROUND

Women are more likely to be admitted to nursing home after stroke than men. Differences in patient characteristics and outcomes by sex after institutionalization are less understood. We examined sex differences in the characteristics and care needs of patients admitted to nursing home following stroke and their subsequent survival.

METHODS

We identified patients with stroke newly admitted to nursing home between April 2011 and March 2016 in Ontario, Canada, with follow-up until March 2018 using linked administrative data. We calculated prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the primary outcomes of dependence for activities of daily living, cognitive impairment, frailty, health instability, and symptoms of depression or pain, comparing women to men. The secondary outcome was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Among 4831 patients, 60.9% were women. Compared to men, women were older (median age [interquartile range, IQR]: 84 [78, 89] vs. 80 [71, 86]), more likely to be frail (prevalence ratio 1.14, 95% CI [1.08, 1.19]), have unstable health (1.45 [1.28, 1.66]), and experience symptoms of depression (1.25 [1.11, 1.40]) or pain (1.21 [1.13, 1.30]), and less likely to have aggressive behaviors (0.87 [0.80, 0.94]). Overall median survival was 2.9 years. In a propensity-score-matched cohort, women had lower mortality than men (hazard ratio 0.85, 95% CI [0.77, 0.94]), but in the age-stratified survival analysis, the survival advantage in women was limited to those aged 75 years and older.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite lower subsequent mortality, women admitted to nursing home after stroke required more care than men. Pain and depression are two treatable symptoms that disproportionately affect women.

Rate and Determinants of Recurrence at 1 Year and 5 Years After Stroke in a Low-Income Population in Rural China

Recurrent stroke is becoming an increasingly important public health issue owing to the increased risk of disability and death. However, population-based studies investigating the rate of recurrent stroke in China are rare. We explored the rate and determinants of recurrent stroke within 1 and 5 years after the initial stroke in a rural population in China. Data for stroke events were obtained from the Tianjin Brain Study, conducted between 1992 and 2016. The age-standardized rates of recurrent stroke within the first year and the first 5 years after the initial stroke were calculated for this period. Determinants of recurrent stroke were assessed using Cox regression analyses. The overall age-standardized rate of recurrent stroke within 1 year was 5.7% (men, 6.9%; women, 4.6%); within 5 years, the overall recurrent stroke rate was 22.5% (men, 24.0%; women, 20.2%). The recurrence rate increased with advancing age and decreased with increased educational attainment. Age ≥65 years and a history of alcohol consumption were independent risk factors for recurrent stroke within 1 year after the incident stroke, after adjusting for age, sex, education, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and alcohol consumption. However, the risk of recurrent stroke within 5 years after the incident stroke was positively associated with male sex, age ≥65 years, a lower level of education, known diabetes, and alcohol consumption, after adjusting for the previously indicated covariates. These findings suggest a crucial need to address risk factor management among stroke patients to reduce the burden of stroke, especially among low-income populations. Furthermore, a multicenter, large sample, nationwide study is urgently needed.

National trends in hospital admission, case fatality, and sex differences in atrial fibrillation-related strokes

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Atrial fibrillation is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke and its global prevalence is increasing. We aimed to describe the contemporary temporal trends in hospital admissions, case fatality rate, as well as sex differences in atrial fibrillation-related stroke in Canada.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Canadian national administrative data to identify admissions to hospital for stroke with comorbid atrial fibrillation between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2016. We determined temporal trends in the crude and the age- and sex-standardized admission and case fatality rates. We also evaluated for any sex differences in these outcomes.

RESULTS

There were 222,100 admissions to hospital for ischemic (n = 182,990) or hemorrhagic (n = 39,110) stroke. Comorbid atrial fibrillation was present in 20.2% of admissions for ischemic strokes and 10.1% for hemorrhagic strokes. Over the study period, the age-sex adjusted proportion of admissions with atrial fibrillation increased from 16.3% to 20.5% (p = 0.02) for ischemic stroke and was stable for hemorrhagic stroke. In-hospital case fatality rate decreased for ischemic stroke with and without comorbid atrial fibrillation. Women aged 65 years and older with ischemic stroke were more likely to have comorbid atrial fibrillation compared to men, while this association was reversed in younger women. There were no sex differences in the case fatality rate for people with atrial fibrillation-related ischemic stroke.

CONCLUSION

Atrial fibrillation is present in an increasing proportion of people hospitalized in Canada with ischemic stroke and disproportionately affects older women. Renewed focus is needed on atrial fibrillation-related stroke prevention with particular attention to sex disparities.

Sex Differences in the Use of Oral Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation: A Report From the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR®) PINNACLE Registry

BACKGROUND

Despite higher thromboembolism risk, women with atrial fibrillation have lower oral anticoagulation (OAC) use compared to men. The influence of the CHA2DS2-VASc score or the introduction of non-vitamin K OACs on this relationship is not known.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the PINNACLE National Cardiovascular Data Registry from 2008 to 2014, we compared the association of sex with OAC use (warfarin or non-vitamin K OACs) overall and by CHA2DS2-VASc score and examined temporal trends in OAC use by sex. Multivariable regression models assessed the association between sex and OAC use in those with CHA2DS2-VASc scores ≥2. Temporal analyses assessed changes in OAC use by sex over time. Of the 691 906 atrial fibrillation patients, 48.5% were women. Women were significantly less likely than men to use any OAC overall (56.7% versus 61.3%; P<0.001) and at all levels of CHA2DS2-VASc score (adjusted risk ratio 9% to 33% lower, all P<0.001). Compared to other thromboembolic risk factors, female sex was associated with lower use of OAC (risk ratio 0.90, 95%CI 0.90-0.91). Over time, non-vitamin K OAC use increased at a slightly higher rate in women (56.2% increase per year, 95%CI 54.6% to 57.9%) compared to men (53.6% increase per year, 95%CI 52.0% to 55.2%), yet women remained less likely to receive any OAC at all time points (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with atrial fibrillation, women were significantly less likely to receive OAC at all levels of the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Despite increasing non-vitamin K OAC use, women had persistently lower rates of OAC use compared to men over time.

Sex Differences in Outcomes among Stroke Survivors with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation in China

Atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly increases the risk of stroke and disease burden and is an established predictor of poor outcomes after stroke. However, data regarding sex differences in long-term outcomes following stroke in patients with AF are scarce. We thus aimed to assess these differences. We recruited 951 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke and non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) treated at three hospitals in Tianjin, China, from January 2006 to September 2014. Information regarding stroke subtype, severity, risk factors, and outcomes (mortality, dependency, and recurrence) at 3, 12, and 36 months after stroke was recorded. The prevalence of NVAF was 8.4% overall, with a higher frequency in women than in men (11.3 vs. 6.9%, P < 0.001). Among patients with NVAF, women were older than men. Women were more likely than men to have severe stroke (38.8 vs. 29.5%, P < 0.001), high levels of total cholesterol and high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (all P < 0.001), hypertension (69.1 vs. 61.2%, P = 0.012), dyslipidemia (29.8 vs. 20.7%, P = 0.001), and obesity (18.5 vs. 11.6%, P = 0.003); they were less likely than men to be current smokers (12.2 vs. 33.6%, P < 0.001) and to consume alcohol (0.9 vs. 13.9%, P < 0.001). There were greater risks of dependency and recurrence at 36 months after stroke in women than in men [odds ratios (95% confidence intervals), 1.64 (1.02–2.64) for dependency, P = 0.043; and 2.03 (1.28–3.20) for recurrence, P = 0.002] after adjustment for stroke subtype, severity, and risk factors. These findings suggest that it is crucial to emphasize the need for individualized stroke prevention education and promotion of healthy lifestyles in order to improve NVAF-related stroke outcomes and reduce disease burden in women.

Older Women Benefit from Thrombolysis as Much as Older Men

BACKGROUND

Although the incidence of stroke among older people increases, the use of intravenous thrombolysis has initially been restricted in the elderly. However, more people aged more than 80 years, a majority of them women, may benefit from thrombolysis. Therefore characteristics, outcome, and complications in older women (aged more than 80 years) undergoing thrombolysis are studied and compared to older men and to younger women (aged less than 80 years) to detect any gender and age differences.

METHODS

Retrospective study of stroke patients treated with thrombolysis based on data collected from medical records. Outcome and complications were analyzed in 3 groups in relation to age and gender.

RESULTS

From a total of 108 patients treated with thrombolysis, 94 could be included in the study (36 women ≥80 years, 23 men ≥80 years, and 35 women <80 years). Improvement over the first 24 hours and at 3 months, and mortality were comparable between older women and men. Older women had more major strokes, a higher mortality, and 3-month morbidity than younger women. There was no significant difference in intracranial hemorrhage between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no significant difference between older women and men in outcome and mortality after thrombolysis. Older women suffered from more severe strokes, and had a higher mortality and worse outcome than younger women. The frequency of intracranial hemorrhage was comparable. Given the higher percentage of older women suffering from more severe strokes, our results emphasize that thrombolysis should not be withheld exclusively based on age.

Profile and 1-Year Outcome of Ischemic Stroke in East China: Nanjing First Hospital Stroke Registry

BACKGROUND

The profile and 1-year outcome after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in Nanjing, China, is uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the profile and outcome after 1-year follow-up of AIS in East China.

METHODS

In a prospective cohort study, 2168 patients with AIS were recruited consecutively. The primary outcome was death or dependency defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6 at 12 months. Plausible risk factors of death or dependency, such as demographics, risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, clinical features, laboratory results, and complications after a stroke, were selected from available variables to perform multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Eight hundred thirty-seven (38.6%) patients died or suffered from dependency. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.05), history of diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.10-2.04), prior stroke (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.51-2.87), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR, 23.06; 95% CI, 14.24-37.34), estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.02-2.66), pulmonary infection (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 2.17-4.09), and gastrointestinal bleeding (OR, 7.81; 95% CI, 2.76-22.09) were significantly and independently associated with higher rates of mortality or disability (all P values < .05). Male gender (P values < .001) was the only factor associated with lower mortality or disability.

CONCLUSIONS

The main dominating predictors for death or dependency were older age, female gender, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke, NIHSS score, estimated glomerular filtration rate, pulmonary infection, and gastrointestinal bleeding.