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Background and Objectives: Few studies have examined trends and disparities in long-term outcome after stroke in a representative US population. We used a population-based stroke study in the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky region to examine trends and racial disparities in poststroke 5-year mortality., Methods: All patients with acute ischemic strokes (AISs) and intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs) among residents ≥20 years old were ascertained using ICD codes and physician-adjudicated using a consistent case definition during 5 periods: July 1993-June 1994 and calendar years 1999, 2005, 2010, and 2015. Race was obtained from the medical record; only those identified as White or Black were included. Premorbid functional status was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale, with a score of 0-1 being considered "good." Mortality was assessed with the National Death Index. Trends and racial disparities for each subtype were analyzed with logistic regression., Results: We identified 8,428 AIS cases (19.3% Black, 56.3% female, median age 72) and 1,501 ICH cases (23.5% Black, 54.8% female, median age 72). Among patients with AIS, 5-year mortality improved after adjustment for age, race, and sex (53% in 1993/94 to 48.3% in 2015, overall effect of study year p = 0.009). The absolute decline in 5-year mortality in patients with AIS was larger than what would be expected in the general population (5.1% vs 2.8%). Black individuals were at a higher risk of death after AIS (odds ratio [OR] 1.23, 95% CI 1.08-1.39) even after adjustment for age and sex, and this effect was consistent across study years. When premorbid functional status and comorbidities were included in the model, the primary effect of Black race was attenuated but race interacted with sex and premorbid functional status. Among male patients with a good baseline functional status, Black race remained associated with 5-year mortality (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.7, p = 0.002). There were no changes in 5-year mortality after ICH over time (64.4% in 1993/94 to 69.2% in 2015, overall effect of study year p = 0.32)., Discussion: Long-term survival improved after AIS but not after ICH. Black individuals, particularly Black male patients with good premorbid function, have a higher mortality after AIS, and this disparity did not change over time.

Background and Purpose: Computed tomographic angiography and conventional angiography provide timely vascular anatomic information in patients with stroke. However, iodinated contrast dye may cause acute kidney injury (AKI). Within a large, biracial population, we examined in-hospital incidence of new or worsening kidney disease in patients with stroke and its association with administration of intravenous dye., Methods: All adult residents of the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region with acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage who presented to an emergency department in 2010 were included. Prevalence of unsuspected kidney disease at the time of emergency department presentation and the incidence of AKI after admission in 2 groups of patients-those who did and those who did not receive intravenous dye-were determined., Results: In 2010, 2299 patients met inclusion criteria (89% ischemic stroke and 11% intracerebral hemorrhage); mean age 69 years (SD 15), 22% black, and 54% women. Among these patients, 37% had kidney disease at baseline, including 22% (516/2299) in whom this was unsuspected. Two percent (2%; 15/853) of patients with baseline kidney disease developed AKI during the hospital stay. Of those with no baseline kidney disease, 1% (14/14 467) developed AKI. There was no association between dye administration and new or worsening kidney disease., Conclusions: Although 22% of patients in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky stroke population had unsuspected kidney disease, the incidence of new or worsening kidney disease was low, and AKI was not associated with dye administration. These findings confirm single-center reports that the risk of severe renal complications after contrast dye is small., (© 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is associated with incontinence and gait disturbance among survivors of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) at 3-month follow-ups., Methods: The Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Hemorrhagic Stroke study was used as the discovery set. The Ethnic/Racial Variations of Intracerebral Hemorrhage study served as a replication set. Both studies performed prospective hot-pursuit recruitment of ICH cases with 3-month follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed to identify risk factors for incontinence and gait dysmobility at 3 months after ICH., Results: The study population consisted of 307 ICH cases in the discovery set and 1,374 cases in the replication set. In the discovery set, we found that increasing IVH volume was associated with incontinence (odds ratio [OR] 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-2.06) and dysmobility (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.17-2.15) after controlling for ICH location, initial ICH volume, age, baseline modified Rankin Scale score, sex, and admission Glasgow Coma Scale score. In the replication set, increasing IVH volume was also associated with both incontinence (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.27-1.60) and dysmobility (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.24-1.57) after controlling for the same variables., Conclusion: ICH subjects with IVH extension are at an increased risk for developing incontinence and dysmobility after controlling for factors associated with severity and disability. This finding suggests a potential target to prevent or treat long-term disability after ICH with IVH., (© 2016 American Academy of Neurology.)

Background and Purpose: Prophylactic anticoagulation for deep venous thrombosis prevention after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is safe. Current guidelines recommend prophylactic anticoagulation after cessation of hematoma growth. We aimed to evaluate nationwide trends in deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis after ICH., Methods: In an analysis of the Premier database, we identified adult patients with ICH (International Classification of Diseases Ninth edition code 431) from 2006 to 2010 who survived to day 2 of hospitalization. We excluded those with trauma or who underwent craniotomy or angiography. We abstracted type of anticoagulant used and date of first administration. We used univariate statistics and multivariable logistic regression to assess factors associated with prophylactic anticoagulation after ICH., Results: Among 32 690 (mean age, 69.7 years; 50.1% men) patients with spontaneous ICH, 5395 (16.5%) patients received any prophylactic anticoagulation during the hospital stay. Among these patients, 2416 (44.8%) received prophylactic anticoagulation by day 2. The most commonly used agents were heparin (71.1%), enoxaparin (27.5%), and dalteparin (1.4%). The proportion of patients receiving prophylactic anticoagulation increased slightly during the study period from 14.3% to 18.0% (P<0.01 for trend). Use of prophylactic anticoagulation varied by geographic region (P<0.001) in the United States: Northeast (23.2%), South (19.0%), Midwest (10.8%), and West (9.8%). In multivariable analysis, geographic region remained an independent predictor of prophylactic anticoagulation., Conclusions: Less than 20% of patients with ICH receive anticoagulation for deep venous thrombosis in the United States. When used, the time to initiation is <2 days in less than half of the patients. Further study should focus on understanding variations in practice and emphasize guideline-driven care., (© 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Background and Purpose: Approximately 5% of strokes occur in adults aged 18 to 44 years. Substance abuse is a prevalent risk factor for stroke in young adults. We sought to identify trends in substance abuse detection among stroke patients., Methods: Using a population-based design, we sought to identify all patients aged 18 to 54 years experiencing a stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Study region during 1993 to 1994, 1999, and 2005. Demographic and clinical characteristics and substance use data were obtained retrospectively from chart review and adjudicated by physicians., Results: The number of young patients identified with a stroke increased from 1993 to 1994 (297) to 2005 (501). Blacks (61% vs 51%; P<0.02) and men (61% vs 47%; P<0.002) reported substance abuse (current smoking, alcohol, or illegal drug use) more frequently than did whites and women. Overall use of substances increased across study periods, 45% in 1993 versus 62% in 2005 (P=0.003). The trend was significant for illegal drug use (3.8% in 1993 vs 19.8% in 2005) and ever smoking (49% in 1993 vs 66% in 2005). Documentation of both cocaine and marijuana use increased over time. In 2005, half of young adults with a stroke were current smokers, and 1 in 5 abused illegal drugs., Conclusions: Substance abuse is common in young adults experiencing a stroke. The observed increase in substance abuse is contributing to the increased incidence of stroke in young adults. Patients aged younger than 55 years who experience a stroke should be routinely screened and counseled regarding substance abuse.