Trends in 1-Year Recurrent Ischemic Stroke in the US Medicare Fee-for-Service Population

Temporal Trends in Stroke Management and Outcomes Between 2011 and 2020 in South Korea: Results From a Nationwide Multicenter Registry

BACKGROUND

This study aims to evaluate temporal trends of advanced treatments and related clinical outcomes of ischemic stroke through a decade-long trend analysis, using data from a comprehensive, national, multicenter registry. We also seek to identify areas in need of improvement.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This analysis involved patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack registered prospectively in the CRCS-K-NIH (Clinical Research Center for Stroke in Korea-National Institute of Health) registry between 2011 and 2020. We examined temporal trends in risk factors, pathogenetic subtypes, acute management strategies, and outcomes for up to 1 year following a stroke. Generalized linear mixed models were used to account for center clustering. The average age of 77 662 patients increased 2.2 years in men and 2.4 years in women over the 10-year follow-up. Notably, in-hospital neurological deterioration, 3-month and 1-year mortality rate, and cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke within 1-year decreased over time after adjustments for age, sex, and initial stroke severity (P<0.01). However, functional outcomes at 3 months and 1 year remained unchanged. Endovascular thrombectomy increased from 5.4% in 2011 to 10.6% in 2020. Use of anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation, dual antiplatelet therapy, statins, and stroke unit care also increased. Contrarily, the rate of intravenous thrombolysis showed a slight decline.

CONCLUSIONS

This study points to a reduction in death and risk of recurrent stroke over the past decade, paralleling enhancement in acute and preventive stroke management. Nevertheless, the decline in the use of intravenous thrombolysis and the lack of improvement in functional outcomes following stroke are concerning trends that warrant thorough investigation.

Contemporary National Incidence and Outcomes of Acute Limb Ischemia

BACKGROUND

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a morbid and deadly diagnosis. However, existing epidemiologic studies describing ALI predate the introduction of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 and direct oral anticoagulants in 2011. Thus, we synergized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and United States Census to define contemporary trends in the incidence, treatment, and outcomes of ALI in the US.

METHODS

We included emergent admissions of adults with primary diagnosis of lower extremity ALI in survey-weighted NIS data (2005-2020). Mann-Kendal trend test evaluated ALI incidence (primary outcome), anticoagulation usage, insurance coverage, revascularization type, and in-hospital amputation/death. Multivariable logistic regression quantified covariate associations with in-hospital amputation/death.

RESULTS

Of the 582,322,862 estimated hospitalizations in the NIS, 227,440 met the inclusion criteria (mean age 68.80 years, 49.94% women, 76.66% White). ALI incidence peaked in 2006 (7.16/100,000 person-years) but has declined since 2015 to 4.16/100,000 person-years in 2020 (ptrend = 0.008). Endovascular revascularization, anticoagulation, and Medicaid coverage increased, while self-pay insurance decreased (ptrend < 0.05). Amputation rates significantly decreased from 8.04 to 6.54% (ptrend = 0.01) while death rate remained at 5.59% (ptrend = 0.16) over the study period. Prehospitalization anticoagulation was associated with decreased amputation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.84)) and death (aOR = 0.50 (95% CI 0.43-0.57)). When controlling for covariates, women had a higher risk of death (aOR = 1.17 (95% CI 1.07-1.27), P < 0.0001), while Black patients had a higher risk of amputation (aOR = 1.24 (95% CI 1.10-1.41), P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our US population based epidemiological study demonstrates that ALI incidence and in-hospital amputation rates are decreasing, while mortality remains unchanged. We further highlight the ongoing need for ALI investigation specifically as it relates to access to care, antithrombotic therapy use, treatment strategy, and strategies to combat gender and racial disparities.

Contemporary Statistics of Acute Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack in 2021: Insights From the CRCS-K-NIH Registry

This report presents the latest statistics on the stroke population in South Korea, sourced from the Clinical Research Collaborations for Stroke in Korea-National Institute for Health (CRCS-K-NIH), a comprehensive, nationwide, multicenter stroke registry. The Korean cohort, unlike western populations, shows a male-to-female ratio of 1.5, attributed to lower risk factors in Korean women. The average ages for men and women are 67 and 73 years, respectively. Hypertension is the most common risk factor (67%), consistent with global trends, but there is a higher prevalence of diabetes (35%) and smoking (21%). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (19%) is lower than in western populations, suggesting effective prevention strategies in the general population. A high incidence of large artery atherosclerosis (38%) is observed, likely due to prevalent intracranial arterial disease in East Asians and advanced imaging techniques. There has been a decrease in intravenous thrombolysis rates, from 12% in 2017-2019 to 10% in 2021, with no improvements in door-to-needle and door-to-puncture times, worsened by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. While the use of aspirin plus clopidogrel for non-cardioembolic stroke and direct oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation is well-established, the application of direct oral anticoagulants for non-atrial fibrillation cardioembolic strokes in the acute phase requires further research. The incidence of early neurological deterioration (13%) and the cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke at 3 months (3%) align with global figures. Favorable outcomes at 3 months (63%) are comparable internationally, yet the lack of improvement in dependency at 3 months highlights the need for advancements in acute stroke care.

Sex Differences in Trends in Stroke Recurrence and Postrecurrence Mortality 2000-2020: Population-Based Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi Project

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to delineate 21-year sex-specific trends in recurrence and postrecurrence mortality.

METHODS

Between 2000 and 2020, first-ever ischemic stroke (IS) patients, ascertained from the population-based BASIC (Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi) project in South Texas, were followed for recurrent stroke and all-cause mortality until December 31, 2020. Multivariable regression models with an interaction between calendar year and sex were used to estimate sex-specific trends and sex differences in recurrence and postrecurrence mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 6,057 IS patients (median age = 69 years, 49.8% women), 654 (10.8%) had a recurrence and 399 (47.7%) had postrecurrence mortality during 5 years of follow-up. In 2000, women had 2.5% higher albeit non-statistically significant 5-year risk of recurrence than men in absolute scale. With the trend declining in women by 7.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = -10.8 to -4.5%) and in men by 3.6% (95% CI = -6.5% to -0.7%), the risk at the end of the study period was 1.5% (95% CI = -0.3% to 3.6%) lower among women than men. For postrecurrence mortality, the risk was 10.2% lower among women in 2000, but the sex difference was 3.3% by the end of the period, which was due to a larger overall increase in the risk among women than men over the entire time period.

INTERPRETATION

The declines in recurrent stroke suggest successful secondary stroke prevention, especially in women. However, the continued high postrecurrence mortality among both sexes at the end of study period emphasizes the need for ongoing interventions to improve prognosis in those who have had recurrent cerebrovascular events. ANN NEUROL 2024;96:332-342.

Derivation and Validation of ICD-10 Codes for Identifying Incident Stroke

Importance

Claims data with International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes are routinely used in clinical research. However, the use of ICD-10 codes to define incident stroke has not been validated against expert-adjudicated outcomes in the US population.

Objective

To develop and validate the accuracy of an ICD-10 code list to detect incident stroke events using Medicare inpatient fee-for-service claims data.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used data from 2 prospective population-based cohort studies, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study and the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, and included participants aged 65 years or older without prior stroke who had linked Medicare claims data. Stroke events in the ARIC and REGARDS studies were identified via active surveillance and adjudicated by expert review. Medicare-linked ARIC data (2016-2018) were used to develop a list of ICD-10 codes for incident stroke detection. The list was validated using Medicare-linked REGARDS data (2016-2019). Data were analyzed from September 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023.

Exposures

Stroke events detected in Medicare claims vs expert-adjudicated stroke events in the ARIC and REGARDS studies.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcomes were sensitivity and specificity of incident stroke detection using ICD-10 codes.

Results

In the ARIC study, there were 110 adjudicated incident stroke events among 5194 participants (mean [SD] age, 80.1 [5.3] years) over a median follow-up of 3.0 (range, 0.003-3.0) years. Most ARIC participants were women (3160 [60.8%]); 993 (19.1%) were Black and 4180 (80.5%) were White. Using the primary diagnosis code on a Medicare billing claim, the ICD-10 code list had a sensitivity of 81.8% (95% CI, 73.3%-88.5%) and a specificity of 99.1% (95% CI, 98.8%-99.3%) to detect incident stroke. Using any diagnosis code on a Medicare billing claim, the sensitivity was 94.5% (95% CI, 88.5%-98.0%) and the specificity was 98.4% (95% CI, 98.0%-98.8%). In the REGARDS study, there were 140 adjudicated incident strokes among 6359 participants (mean [SD] age, 75.8 [7.0] years) over a median follow-up of 4.0 (range, 0-4.0) years. More than half of the REGARDS participants were women (3351 [52.7%]); 1774 (27.9%) were Black and 4585 (72.1%) were White. For the primary diagnosis code, the ICD-10 code list had a sensitivity of 70.7% (95% CI, 63.2%-78.3%) and a specificity of 99.1% (95% CI, 98.9%-99.4%). For any diagnosis code, the ICD-10 code list had a sensitivity of 77.9% (95% CI, 71.0%-84.7%) and a specificity of 98.9% (95% CI, 98.6%-99.2%).

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that ICD-10 codes could be used to identify incident stroke events in Medicare claims with moderate sensitivity and high specificity.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Neurological Care in the United States

The burden of neurological disease is increasing globally. In the United States, this burden is disproportionally greater for Black and Latino communities who have limited access to neurological care. Health services researchers have attempted to identify racial and ethnic disparities in neurological care and possible solutions. This article reviews the most current literature on racial and ethnic disparities in commonly encountered neurological conditions, including Stroke, Alzheimer's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, Parkinson's Disease, and Migraine. Disparities exist in disease incidence, diagnosis, access to care, treatment, outcomes, and representation in epidemiologic studies and clinical trials. Many of the disparities observed in neurological care in the United States are a consequence of longstanding racist and discriminatory policies and legislation that increase risk factors for the development of neurological disease or lead to disparities in accessing quality neurological care. Therefore, additional efforts on the legislative, community health, and healthcare system levels are necessary to prevent the onset of neurological disease and achieve equity in neurological care.

National Trends of Vascular Risk Factor Control Among Stroke Survivors: From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009 to 2020

BACKGROUND

Contemporary data describing the national trends on vascular risk factor control among stroke survivors are limited.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles 2009 to 2010 to 2017 to March 2020. Adults (≥18 years of age) with a self-reported diagnosis of stroke were identified. Age-adjusted trends in hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia control were examined. Sex and racial differences in vascular risk factor control were also investigated. Among 32 497 adult individuals who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1354 participants (4.2%) self-reported a prior diagnosis of stroke (55% were women). The rates of age-adjusted blood pressure control worsened when using the cutoff <140/90 mm Hg (79.1% in 2009-2010 versus 61.5% in 2017-March 2020, Ptrend<0.001) and using the cutoff <130/80 mm Hg (53.3% in 2009-2010 versus 38.6% in 2017-March 2020, Ptrend=0.006). Age-adjusted diabetes control (hemoglobin A1c <7 mg/dL) did not significantly change during the study period (88.8% in 2009-2010 versus 85.9% in 2017-March 2020, Ptrend=0.41). Achieving a total cholesterol level <200 mg/dL did not change during the study period (67.3% in 2009-2010 versus 73.3% in 2017-March 2020, Ptrend=0.16). These findings were mostly consistent in men and women and across the different racial and ethnic groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In the United States, secondary prevention was suboptimal for stroke survivors, and there has not been any major significant improvement in the rates of achieving the recommended targets for vascular risk factors during the past decade. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve these modifiable risk factors.

Post-Stroke Brain Health Monitoring and Optimization: A Narrative Review

Significant advancements have been made in recent years in the acute treatment and secondary prevention of stroke. However, a large proportion of stroke survivors will go on to have enduring physical, cognitive, and psychological disabilities from suboptimal post-stroke brain health. Impaired brain health following stroke thus warrants increased attention from clinicians and researchers alike. In this narrative review based on an open timeframe search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, we define post-stroke brain health and appraise the body of research focused on modifiable vascular, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors for optimizing post-stroke brain health. In addition, we make clinical recommendations for the monitoring and management of post-stroke brain health at major post-stroke transition points centered on four key intertwined domains: cognition, psychosocial health, physical functioning, and global vascular health. Finally, we discuss potential future work in the field of post-stroke brain health, including the use of remote monitoring and interventions, neuromodulation, multi-morbidity interventions, enriched environments, and the need to address inequities in post-stroke brain health. As post-stroke brain health is a relatively new, rapidly evolving, and broad clinical and research field, this narrative review aims to identify and summarize the evidence base to help clinicians and researchers tailor their own approach to integrating post-stroke brain health into their practices.

Kenton Award Lecture-Stroke Disparities Research: Learning From the Past, Planning for the Future

Inequities in stroke care and outcomes have been documented both within and among countries based on factors, such as race, geography, and socioeconomic status. Research can help us to identify, understand, and address inequities, and this article offers considerations for scientists working in this area. These include designing research aimed at identifying the underlying causes of inequities, recognizing the importance of the social determinants of health, considering interventions that go beyond the individual patient and provider to include policies and systems, acknowledging the role of structural racism, performing community-engaged participatory research, considering intersecting social identities, learning from cross-national comparisons, maintaining the data sources needed for inequities research, using terminology that advances health equity, and improving diversity across the research enterprise.