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Objectives: To investigate cerebrovascular event (CVE) denials reported by registered patients to the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry, and to examine the factors associated with CVE denial., Material and Methods: CVE denials reported from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 were followed up with hospitals to verify their discharge diagnosis. CVE denials were compared with all non-CVE denial registrants and a 5% random sub-sample of non-CVE deniers according to patient and clinical characteristics, quality of care indicators and health outcomes. Multilevel, multivariable logistic regression models were used. Factors explored were age, sex, stroke severity, type of stroke, treatment in a stroke unit, length of stay and discharge destination. Level was defined as hospital., Results: Overall, 339/23,830 (<2%) CVE denials were reported during the 18-month period. Hospitals confirmed 117 (61%) of CVE denials as a verified diagnosis of stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Compared to non-CVE deniers, CVE deniers were younger, had a shorter median length of stay (four days versus one day) and were more likely to be diagnosed with a TIA (64%) compared to the other types of stroke (11% intracerebral haemorrhage; 20% ischaemic; 5% undetermined)., Conclusion: Very few patients denied their CVE, with the majority of denials subsequently confirmed as eligible for registry inclusion. Diagnosis of a TIA and shorter length of stay were associated with CVE denial. These findings provide evidence that very few cases are incorrectly entered into a national registry, and highlight the characteristics of those unlikely to accept their clinical diagnosis where further education of diagnosis may be needed., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interests The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate key quality indicators for acute care and one-year outcomes following acute ischaemic stroke (IS), intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) by diabetes status., Materials and Methods: Observational cohort study (2009-2013) using linked data from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry and hospital records. Diabetes was ascertained through review of hospital records. Multilevel regression models were used to evaluate the association between diabetes and outcomes, including discharge destination, and mortality and hospital readmissions within one-year of stroke/TIA., Results: Among 14,132 patients (median age 76 years, 46% female), 22% had diabetes. Compared to patients without diabetes, those with diabetes were equally likely to receive stroke unit care, but were more often discharged on antihypertensive agents (79% vs. 68%) or with a care plan (50% vs. 47%). In patients with TIA, although 86% returned directly home after acute care, those with diabetes more often had a different discharge destination than those without diabetes. Diabetes was associated with greater all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.23) in patients with IS/ICH; and with both greater all-cause (1.81, CI 1.35-2.43) and CVD mortality (1.75, CI 1.06-2.91) in patients with TIA. Similarly, diabetes was associated with greater rates of all-cause readmission in both patients with IS/ICH and TIA., Conclusions: Despite good adherence to best care standards for acute stroke/TIA, patients with comorbid diabetes had worse outcomes at one-year than those without comorbid diabetes. Associations of diabetes with poorer outcomes were more pronounced in patients with TIA than those with IS/ICH., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest DAC reports educational grants from Boehringer Ingelhiem, Shire, Ipsen, Amgen, and Medtronic paid to her institution; and is the Data Custodian for AuSCR. AGT is a board member of the Stroke Foundation and prior member of the AuSCR Steering Committee. RL is a member of the AuSCR Steering Committee. NAL and MFK are members of the AuSCR Management Committee. All other authors report no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: It is unclear how acute care influences patient outcomes in those who receive rehabilitation. We aimed to determine the associations between acute stroke therapies, outcomes during inpatient rehabilitation and self-reported outcomes at 90-180 days after stroke., Materials and Methods: Patient-level data from adults with acute stroke registered in the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (AuSCR, 2014-2017) were linked with data from the Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre (AROC). The main outcome was relative function gain (RFG), which is a measure of the FIM change achieved between admission to discharge as a proportion of the total gain possible based on admission FIM, relative to the maximum achievable score. Multilevel logistic/median regression analyses were used to investigate the association between RFG achieved in rehabilitation and (1) acute stroke therapies; (2) 90-180 day outcomes (health-related quality of life using EuroQoL-5D-3L; independence according to modified Rankin Scale (score 0-2) and self-reported hospital readmission)., Results: Overall, 8397/8507 eligible patients from the AuSCR were linked with corresponding AROC data (95% linkage rate; median age 75 years, 43% female); 4239 had 90-180 days survey data. Receiving thrombolysis (16% of the cohort) had a minimal association with RFG in rehabilitation (coefficient: 0.03; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.01, 0.05). Greater RFG achieved whilst in in-patient rehabilitation was associated with better longer-term HR-QoL (coefficient 21.77, 95% CI 17.8, 25.8) including fewer problems with mobility, self-care, pain, usual activities and anxiety/depression; greater likelihood of independence (adjusted Odds Ratio: 10.66; 95% CI 7.86, 14.45); and decreased odds of self-reported hospital readmission (adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.53; 95% CI 0.41, 0.70) within 90-180 days post-stroke., Conclusions: Stroke survivors who achieved greater RFG during inpatient rehabilitation had better HR-QoL and were more likely to be independent at follow-up. Acute care processes did not appear to impact RFG or long-term outcomes for those who accessed inpatient rehabilitation., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All other authors report no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Stroke affects all ages. Despite increased incidence in those <65 years, little is known about age-based differences in inpatient rehabilitation management and outcomes., Objectives: To investigate management and outcomes, comparing younger (<65 years) and older (≥65 years) patients with stroke, who received inpatient rehabilitation., Methods: Multicentre, cross-sectional study using data from Australian hospitals who participated in the Stroke Foundation national stroke rehabilitation audit (2016-2018). Chi-square tests compared characteristics and care by age. Multivariable regression models were used to compare outcomes by age (e.g. length of stay). Models were adjusted for sex, stroke type and severity factors., Results: 7,165 audited cases from 127 hospitals; 23% <65 years (66% male; 72% ischaemic stroke). When compared to older patients, younger patients were more likely male (66% vs 52%); identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (6% vs 1%); be less disabled on admission; receive psychology (46% vs 34%) input, and community reintegration support, including return to work (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.03, 2.11), sexuality (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.39, 1.84) and self-management (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.23, 1.57) advice. Following adjustment, younger patients had longer lengths of stay (coeff 3.54, 95% CI 2.27, 4.81); were more likely to be independent on discharge (aOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.68, 2.28); be discharged to previous residences (aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.41, 1.91) and receive community rehabilitation (aOR: 2.27, 95% CI 1.91, 2.70)., Conclusions: Age-related differences exist in characteristics, management and outcomes for inpatients with stroke accessing rehabilitation in Australia., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, Australian Modification (ICD-10-AM) codes are commonly used to identify patients with diseases or clinical conditions for epidemiological research. We aimed to determine the diagnostic agreement and factors associated with a clinician-assigned stroke diagnosis in a national registry and the ICD-10-AM codes recorded in government-held administrative data., Materials and Methods: Data from 39 hospitals (2009-2013) participating in the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (AuSCR) were linked and merged with person-level administrative data. The AuSCR clinician-assigned stroke diagnosis was the reference standard. Concordance was defined as agreement between the clinician-assigned diagnosis and the ICD-10-AM codes for acute stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) (ICD-10-AM codes: I61-I64, G45.9). Multivariable logistic regression was undertaken to assess factors associated with coded diagnostic concordance., Results: A total of 14,716 patient admissions were included (46% female, 63% ischemic, 14% intracerebral hemorrhage [ICH], 18% TIA and 5% unspecified stroke based on the reference standard). Principal ICD-10-AM code concordance was ICH: 76.7%; ischemic stroke: 72.2%; TIA: 80.2%; unspecified stroke: 50.8%. Factors associated with a greater odds of ischemic stroke concordance included: treatment in a stroke unit (adjusted Odds Ratio, aOR:1.58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37, 1.82); length of stay >4 days (aOR:1.30; 95% CI 1.17, 1.45); and discharge destination other than home (Residential care aOR:1.57; 95% CI 1.24, 1.96; Inpatient rehabilitation aOR:1.63; 95% CI 1.43, 1.86)., Conclusions: Diagnostic concordance varied based on stroke type. Future research to improve the quality of coding for stroke should focus on patients not treated in stroke units or with shorter lengths of stay where documentation in medical records may be limited., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Identification and modification of risk factors are essential for preventing intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Prior hospital admissions provide opportunities to intervene. We reported hospital admissions prior to primary ICH and investigated factors associated with survival., Methods: Cohort design using patient-level data from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (2009-2013) linked with hospital administrative datasets from four states (VIC, NSW, WA, QLD). Prior hospital admission is divided into within 90 days and more than 90 days prior to the index ICH event. The International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification codes were used to define principal diagnoses of previous admissions/presentations and comorbidities. Factors associated with survival after ICH were investigated using Cox proportional hazards regression., Results: Among 15,482 admissions for stroke, 2,098 (14%) had an ICH (median age 76 years, 52% male), 1,732 patients (83%) had a prior hospital admission, including 440 patients (21%) within 90 days of their index ICH admission. Patients with prior admission were older, had more comorbidities, and greater hospital frailty risk score than those without prior admission. Diseases of the circulatory system (14%) were the most common principal diagnoses for hospital admissions prior to ICH. Of the comorbidities associated with survival, neoplasms conferred the greatest hazard of death at 180 days after ICH (adjusted hazard ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval 1.15 - 1.76, p = 0.001)., Conclusion: Hospital presentations in the 90 days prior to ICH are common. Future research should be focussed on identifying opportunities for preventing ICH., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The quality of care and outcomes for people who experience stroke whilst in hospital for another condition has not been previously studied in Australia., Aims: To explore differences in long-term outcomes among patients with in-hospital events treated in stroke units (SUs) compared to those managed in other hospital wards., Methods: Forty-five hospitals participating in the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry between January 2010 and December 2014 contributed data. Survival of all patients with in-hospital stroke to 180 days after stroke and health-related quality of life, using EQ-5D-3L among 73% eligible, were compared using multilevel, multivariable regression models. Models were adjusted for age, sex, index of relative socioeconomic disadvantage, ability to walk, stroke type, transfer from another hospital, and history of stroke., Results: Among 20,786 stroke events, 1182 (5.1%) occurred in-hospital (median age 77 years, 49% male). Patients with in-hospital stroke treated in SUs died less often within 30 days (Hazard Ratio 0.56; 95% CI 0.39-0.81) than those not admitted to SUs. Survivors reported similar health-related quality of life between 90 and 180 days compared to those treated in other wards (coefficient = 0.01, 95% CI -0.06-0.09, P = .78). Patients managed in SUs more often received recommended management (e.g. swallowing screening)., Conclusion: The benefits of SU care may extend to patients experiencing in-hospital stroke. Validation, including accounting for potential residual confounding factors, is required., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Comprehensive discharge planning is important for successful transitions from hospital to home after stroke. The aim of this study was to describe the quality of discharge planning received by patients discharged home from acute care, identify factors associated with a positive discharge experience, and assess the influence of discharge quality on outcomes., Method: Patients discharged to the community and registered in the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry in 2014 were invited to participate. Patient-perceived discharge quality was evaluated using the Prescriptions, Ready to re-enter community, Education, Placement, Assurance of safety, Realistic expectations, Empowerment, Directed to appropriate services questionnaire (recall at 3-9 months). Factors associated with higher discharge quality scores were identified and associations between quality scores of more than 80% and outcomes were investigated using multivariable, multilevel regression analyses., Results: There were 200 of 434 eligible registrants who responded; responders and nonresponders were similar with respect to age, sex, and type of stroke. The average overall quality score was 73% (standard deviation: 21). However, only 18% received all aspects of discharge care planning. Quality scores of more than 80% were independently associated with receiving hospital specific information (odds ratio: 5.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.7, 12.4), and referral to a local support group (odds ratio: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.9). Discharge quality scores of more than 80% were associated with higher European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions EQ-5D scores (coefficient: .1, 95% CI: .04, .2) and a reduction in the rate of unmet needs reported at 3-9 months postdischarge (incidence rate ratio: .5, 95% CI: .3, .7)., Conclusion: We provide new information on the quality of discharge planning from acute care after stroke. Aspects of discharge planning that correlate with quality of care may reduce unmet needs and improve quality of life outcomes., (Copyright © 2018 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)