Abstract P76: Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic on Acute Ischemic Stroke Hospitalizations Among Medicare Beneficiaries in the United States

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Quanhe Yang ◽  
Xin Tong ◽  
Sallyann Coleman King ◽  
Robert K Merritt
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
The United States ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Percent Reduction ◽  
Race Ethnicity

Introduction: Emergency department visits and hospitalizations for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) declined significantly following the declaration of COVID-19 as a national emergency on March 13, 2020 in the United States. No study has examined the volume and nature of AIS hospitalizations among older adults in the U.S. amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the trend and compared the characteristics of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries ≥65 years hospitalized with a primary AIS diagnosis in the same timeframe before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We included hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of AIS (ICD-10 I63) among Medicare FFS beneficiaries from week 11 to 24 in 2019 and 2020. We estimated the percent reduction of AIS hospitalizations between 2019 and 2020 by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and state. We tested for difference in distribution by age group, sex and race/ethnicity between 2019 and 2020 based on χ 2 test. Results: During the 14-weeks from March 8 to June 13, 2020, AIS hospitalizations among FFS beneficiaries were reduced by 23.7% compared to weeks 11 to 24 in 2019 (March 10 to June 15) (49,607 in 2019 vs. 37,860 in 2020). A greater percent reduction in AIS hospitalizations was observed with older age (27.2% among ≥85 years vs. 20.6% among persons 65-74 years, p<0.001). The magnitude of reduction was similar between men (23.8%) and women (23.6%, p=0.791), and among non-Hispanic white (24.2%), non-Hispanic black (22.4%), Hispanic (19.3%), and other (22.4%, p=0.189). AIS hospitalization trends varied by state ranging from 1.6% in New Hampshire to 39.8% in Montana. Conclusion: Hospitalizations with a primary AIS diagnosis among Medicare FFS beneficiaries were reduced by 24% during weeks 11 to 24 of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the previous year in the United States. AIS hospitalization reductions varied substantially by state. Further study is needed to examine the long-term effects of COVID-19 pandemic on stroke outcomes.

scholarly journals Stroke Hospitalizations Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic Among Medicare Beneficiaries in the United States

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quanhe Yang ◽  
Xin Tong ◽  
Sallyann Coleman King ◽  
Benjamin S. Olivari ◽  
Robert K. Merritt
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Percent Reduction ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
National Emergency

Background and Purpose: Emergency department visits and hospitalizations for stroke declined significantly following declaration of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a national emergency on March 13, 2020, in the United States. This study examined trends in hospitalizations for stroke among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged ≥65 years and compared characteristics of stroke patients during COVID-19 pandemic to comparable weeks in the preceding year (2019). Methods: For trend analysis, we examined stroke hospitalizations from week 1 in 2019 through week 44 in 2020. For comparison of patient characteristics, we estimated percent reduction in weekly stroke hospitalizations from 2019 to 2020 during weeks 10 through 23 and during weeks 24 through 44 by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and state. Results: Compared to weekly numbers of hospitalizations for stroke reported during 2019, stroke hospitalizations in 2020 decreased sharply during weeks 10 through 15 (March 1–April 11), began increasing during weeks 16 through 23, and remained at a level lower than the same weeks in 2019 from weeks 24 through 44 (June 7–October 31). During weeks 10 through 23, stroke hospitalizations decreased by 22.3% (95% CI, 21.4%–23.1%) in 2020 compared with same period in 2019; during weeks 24 through 44, they decreased by 12.1% (95% CI, 11.2%–12.9%). The magnitude of reduction increased with age but similar between men and women and among different race/ethnicity groups. Reductions in stroke hospitalizations between weeks 10 through 23 varied by state ranging from 0.0% (95% CI, −16.0%–1.7%) in New Hampshire to 36.2% (95% CI, 24.8%–46.7%) in Montana. Conclusions: One-in-5 fewer stroke hospitalizations among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries occurred during initial weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 1–June 6) and weekly stroke hospitalizations remained at a lower than expected level from June 7 to October 31 in 2020 compared with 2019. Changes in stroke hospitalizations varied substantially by state.

Achieving More Rapid Door-to-Needle Times and Improved Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke in a Nationwide Quality Improvement Intervention

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Xian ◽  
Haolin Xu ◽  
Eric E. Smith ◽  
Jeffrey L. Saver ◽  
Mathew J. Reeves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Thrombolytic Therapy ◽  
Phase I ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽  
The United States

Background and Purpose: The benefits of tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) in acute ischemic stroke are time-dependent. However, delivery of thrombolytic therapy rapidly after hospital arrival was initially occurring infrequently in hospitals in the United States, discrepant with national guidelines. Methods: We evaluated door-to-needle (DTN) times and clinical outcomes among patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving tPA before and after initiation of 2 successive nationwide quality improvement initiatives: Target: Stroke Phase I (2010–2013) and Target: Stroke Phase II (2014–2018) from 913 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke hospitals in the United States between April 2003 and September 2018. Results: Among 154 221 patients receiving tPA within 3 hours of stroke symptom onset (median age 72 years, 50.1% female), median DTN times decreased from 78 minutes (interquartile range, 60–98) preintervention, to 66 minutes (51–87) during Phase I, and 50 minutes (37–66) during Phase II ( P <0.001). Proportions of patients with DTN ≤60 minutes increased from 26.4% to 42.7% to 68.6% ( P <0.001). Proportions of patients with DTN ≤45 minutes increased from 10.1% to 17.7% to 41.4% ( P <0.001). By the end of the second intervention, 75.4% and 51.7% patients achieved 60-minute and 45-minute DTN goals. Compared with the preintervention period, hospitals during the second intervention period (2014–2018) achieved higher rates of tPA use (11.7% versus 5.6%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.43 [95% CI, 2.31–2.56]), lower in-hospital mortality (6.0% versus 10.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.69 [0.64–0.73]), fewer bleeding complication (3.4% versus 5.5%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.68 [0.62–0.74]), and higher rates of discharge to home (49.6% versus 35.7%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.43 [1.38–1.50]). Similar findings were found in sensitivity analyses of 185 501 patients receiving tPA within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. Conclusions: A nationwide quality improvement program for acute ischemic stroke was associated with substantial improvement in the timeliness of thrombolytic therapy start, increased thrombolytic treatment, and improved clinical outcomes.

Abstract MP29: Effects of System-Level Factors on Race/Ethnic Differences in In-Hospital Mortality After Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Ibish ◽  
Philip Sun ◽  
Daniela Markovic ◽  
Roland Faigle ◽  
Rebecca F Gottesman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
System Level ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Minority Men

Introduction: Stroke mortality has declined, with differential changes by race; stroke is now the 5 th leading cause of death overall, but 2 nd leading cause of death in blacks. Little is known about recent race/ethnic trends in in-hospital mortality after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and whether system-level factors contribute to possible differences. Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample, adults (>18 yrs) with a primary diagnosis of AIS from 2006 to 2017 (n=763,808) were identified. We assessed in-hospital mortality by race/ethnicity (white, black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander [API], other), sex, and age. Hospitals were categorized by proportion of minority patients served: <25% minority (white hospitals); 25-50% (mixed hospitals), and >50% (minority hospitals). Using survey adjusted logistic regression, the association between race/ethnicity and odds of mortality was assessed, adjusting for key sociodemographic, clinical, and hospital characteristics (e.g. age, comorbidities, stroke severity, DNR status, and palliative care). Results: Overall, mortality decreased from 5.0% in 2006 to 2.9% in 2017, p<0.001. Comparing 2006-2011 to 2012-2017, there was a 66% reduction in mortality after adjustment for covariates, most prominent in whites (68%) and smallest in blacks (58%). Compared to whites, blacks and Hispanics had lower adjusted odds of mortality (AOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.78-0.86 and AOR 0.92, CI 0.86-0.98), primarily driven by those >65 yrs (age x ethnicity interaction p = 0.003). Compared to white men, black, Hispanic, and API men and black women had lower odds of mortality. Adjusted mortality was lower in minorities vs. whites and most pronounced in white hospitals (white: AOR 0.78, 0.73-0.85; mixed: 0.85, 0.80-0.91; minority: 0.89, 0.82-0.95; interaction effect: p=0.018). These differences were present for both minority men and women in white and mixed hospitals, but not women in minority hospitals. Discussion: AIS mortality decreased dramatically in recent years. Overall, black and Hispanic AIS patients have lower mortality than whites, a difference that is most striking in white hospitals. Further study is needed to understand these differences and to what extent biological, sociocultural, and system-level factors play a role.

Abstract 504: Regional Variations of Ischemic Stroke in The United States

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prateeth Pati ◽  
Adnan Khalif ◽  
Balaji Shanmugam
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
The United States ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
The South ◽  
Admission Rates ◽  
Chi Square Analysis

Geographic Distribution of Acute Ischemic Stroke admissions in the United States Background: The geographic distribution of acute ischemic stroke in the United States has not been evaluated, unlike the association shown with acute MI by Patel et al., (International Journal of Cardiology, 2014, 172.3). Our study looked at the geographic distribution and seasonal variation of acute ischemic stroke using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2011 - 2013. Methods: Adult admissions with a primary diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke were extracted from the NIS database using the ICD 9 code 434.91 from 2011 - 2013. Admission information included hospital region (West, South, Mid-Atlantic and Northwest) and seasonal admission rates (Winter=December-February, Spring=March-May, Summer=June-August, Fall=September-November). A Chi square analysis was used to analyze differences in categorical variables (we assumed a normal distribution of 25% per region). Results: A total of 120714 admissions were identified (weighted = 603361). There were more cases of acute ischemic stroke in the South (41.52 percent of admissions) compared to the mid Atlantic (21.4), Northwest (17.98) or West (19.08) with a p value < 0.0001. Each year between 2011 to 2013 showed a higher rate of admissions for acute ischemic stroke in the South. Taking the years into summation showed no statistically significant difference in seasonal variation in any of the regions. Conclusion: Our study shows a higher number of admissions for acute ischemic stroke in the South, but failed to show any seasonal differences. However, there are several studies that suggest a preponderance of admissions for acute myocardial infarction during the winter season, Spencer et al., (Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 1998, 31.2.) Further studies are needed to identify why there is a significant regional difference in the admission rates for acute ischemic stroke.

Abstract 45: Thrombolytic Treatment for In-Hospital Ischemic Strokes in United States

Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tenbit Emiru ◽  
Malik M Adil ◽  
Adnan I Qureshi
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Hospital Charges ◽  
Thrombolytic Treatment

BACKGROUND: Despite the recent emphasis on protocols for emergent triage and treatment of in-hospital acute ischemic stroke, there is little data on rates and outcomes of patients receiving thrombolytics for in-hospital ischemic strokes. OBJECTIVE: To determine the rates of in-hospital ischemic stroke treated with thrombolytics and to compare outcomes with patients treated with thrombolytics on admission. DESIGN/METHODS: We analyzed a seven-year data (2002-2009) from the National Inpatient Survey (NIS), a nationally representative inpatient database in the United States. We identified patients who had in-hospital ischemic strokes (defined by thrombolytic treatment after one day of hospitalization) and those who received thrombolytics on the admission day. We compared demographics, baseline clinical characteristics, in hospital complications, length of stay, hospitalization charges, and discharge disposition, between the two patient groups. RESULT: A total of 18036 (21.5%) and 65912 (78.5%) patients received thrombolytics for in-hospital and on admission acute ischemic stroke, respectively. In hospital complications such as pneumonia (5.0% vs. 3.4%, p=0.0006), deep venous thrombosis (1.9% vs. 0.6%, p<0.0001) and pulmonary embolism (0.8% vs. 0.4%, p=0.01) were significantly higher in the in-hospital group compared to on admission thrombolytic treated group. Hospital length of stay and mean hospital charges were not different between the two groups. Patients who had in-hospital strokes had had higher rates of in hospital mortality (12.1% vs. 10.6%, p=0.02). In a multivariate analysis, in-hospital thrombolytic treated group had higher in-hospital mortality after adjustment for age, gender and baseline clinical characteristics (odds ratio 0.84, 95% confidence interval 0.74-0.95, p=0.008). CONCLUSION/RELEVANCE: In current practice, one out of every five acute ischemic stroke patients treated with thrombolytics is receiving treatment for in-hospital strokes. The higher mortality and complicated hospitalization in such patients needs to be recognized.

Abstract MP25: Inequities in Interhospital Transfer for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the United States: Lower Odds for Women and the Underinsured

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M Oh ◽  
Daniela Markovic ◽  
Amytis Towfighi
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Private Insurance ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Model ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Interhospital Transfer

Background: Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) may undergo interhospital transfer (IHT) for higher level of care. Although the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act stipulates that patients should be transferred to and accepted by referral hospitals if indicated, it offers few concrete guidelines, making it vulnerable to bias. We hypothesized that (1) IHT for AIS has increased over recent years and (2) minorities, women, and those without insurance had lower odds of IHT. Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample, adults (>18 yrs) with a primary diagnosis of AIS from 2010 to 2017 (n=770,970) were identified, corresponding to a weighted sample size of 3,798,440. Those transferred to another acute hospital were labeled IHT. Yearly rates of IHT were assessed. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of IHT (vs. not transferred) were compared in 2014-2017 vs. 2010-2013 using a multinomial logistic model, adjusting for socioeconomic, medical, and hospital characteristics. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine odds of IHT by race/ethnicity, sex, and insurance status, adjusting for the above characteristics. Results: From 2010 to 2017, the proportion of IHT declined from 3.2% (SE 0.2) to 2.9% (SE 0.1). Comparing IHT in 2014-2017 to 2010-2013 showed lower odds of IHT (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88-0.99), but this difference did not remain significant in the fully adjusted model. Fully adjusted OR showed that black patients were more likely than white patients to undergo IHT (AOR 1.13, 1.07-1.20). Women were less likely than men to be transferred (AOR 0.89, 0.86-0.92). Compared to those with private insurance, those with Medicaid (AOR 0.86, 0.80-0.91), self-pay (0.64, 0.59-0.70), and no charge (0.64, 0.46-0.88) were less likely to undergo IHT. Conclusions: Adjusted odds of IHT for AIS did not change significantly. Blacks were more likely than whites to be transferred; however, women and the uninsured/underinsured were less likely to be transferred. Further studies are needed to further understand these inequities and develop interventions and policies to ensure that all individuals have equitable access to stroke care, regardless of their race, sex, or ability to pay.

Abstract TP77: Race/Ethnic Disparity Trends in tPA Administration in the United States

Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle P Lin ◽  
Steven Cen ◽  
Amytis Towfighi ◽  
May Kim-Tenser ◽  
William Mack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
The United States ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Primary Analysis ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Yearly Change ◽  
Administration Rate

Introduction: Prior studies have shown racial disparities in tPA use for acute ischemic stroke. With the implementation of nationwide quality improvement measures, we sought to describe the temporal change in racial disparity in tPA administration. Hypothesis: Disparity in tPA administration improved across all racial groups in the past decade Methods: Data were obtained from all US states that contributed to the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. All patients (N=5,932,175) admitted to hospitals between 2000 and 2010 with a discharge diagnosis of ischemic stroke (ICD9 codes) were included. Primary analysis was the proportion of patients who received tPA administration stratified by race (white, black, Hispanic, Asian) temporally. Survey-weighted Poisson regression was used to estimate the rate ratio and compare the trend for yearly change between race categories. Results: Of the patients with ischemic stroke, 55.4% were white, black 11.89%, Hispanic 5.32%, Asian 1.89%, others 1.77%, missing race 23.31%. tPA administration rate increased from 2000 to 2010 regardless of race. In 2000, tPA administration rate was 0.96%, 0.40%, 0.73%, 0.59% in white, black, Hispanic, Asian, respectively. In 2010, tPA administration rate was 4.0%, 2.14%, 2.09%, 2.13% respectively. The relative change was the greatest in black with rate ratio of 6.7 (5.95-7.54), compared to other racial groups, Asian 5.36 (4.23-6.78), Hispanic 3.93 (3.42-4.51), and white 3.88 (3.74-4.03). Conclusions: Over the last decade, the rate of tPA administration for acute ischemic stroke in the United States have increased for every racial group. There is a lasting but improved disparity in tPA administration in non-white race. Targeted interventions designed to increase treatment and close disparity gap focusing on culturally tailored education and communications to address barriers need to be further explored.

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