Impact of Preexisting Cognitive Impairment and Race/Ethnicity on Functional Outcomes Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose: In intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), preexisting cognitive impairment has been identified as a risk factor for increased mortality and morbidity. However, previous studies examined predominantly White populations; therefore, the prevalence and effect of preICH cognitive impairment has not been studied in a multiethnic cohort. This limits the generalizability of previous findings. We sought to investigate the role of preexisting cognitive impairment in a multiethnic population on short-term mortality and functional outcomes after ICH. Methods: Patients with ICH were prospectively enrolled as cases for the GERFHS III (Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Hemorrhagic Stroke) Study and the Ethnic/Racial Variations of ICH (ERICH) Study. Cognitive impairment before ICH was defined as positive history of dementia or treatment with donepezil, galantamine, memantine, or rivastigmine on chart abstraction or baseline interview. Specific outcomes—modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months (0–2 versus ≥3), Barthel Index score (<100 versus 100) at 3 months, and withdrawal of care—were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Propensity score matching and analysis was done because of imbalances between cognitively impaired and cognitively intact groups. Results: Of the 3537 cases of ICH, 304 patients had cognitive impairment predating ICH. Cognitively impaired subjects were more likely to experience withdrawal of care during hospitalization, and for survivors, greater disability (modified Rankin Scale score of ≥3) and lower Barthel scores after ICH. After propensity score matching, preexisting cognitive impairment was associated with a lower modified Rankin Scale at 3 months in the White, Black, and Hispanic subgroups. Conclusions: Preexisting cognitive impairment was associated with loss of independence 3-month post-ICH, when matching for risk factors of cognitive impairment, in the White, Black, and Hispanic subgroups. This suggests that preexisting cognitive impairment has a negative effect in obtaining functional independence following ICH, irrespective of race/ethnicity.

Download Full-text

Thrombocytopenia and Clinical Outcomes in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.031478 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 611-619

Author(s):

Anne Mrochen ◽

Maximilian I. Sprügel ◽

Stefan T. Gerner ◽

Jochen A. Sembill ◽

Stefan Lang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Platelet Count ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Propensity Score Matching ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Scale Score ◽

Vitamin K ◽

Vitamin K Antagonist ◽

Modified Rankin Scale

Background and Purpose: The impact of platelets on hematoma enlargement (HE) of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is not yet sufficiently elucidated. Especially the role of reduced platelet counts on HE and clinical outcomes is still poorly understood. This study investigated the influence of thrombocytopenia on HE, functional outcome, and mortality in patients with ICH with or without prior antiplatelet therapy (APT). Methods: Individual participant data of multicenter cohort studies (multicenter RETRACE program [German-Wide Multicenter Analysis of Oral Anticoagulation-Associated Intracerebral Hemorrhage] and single-center UKER-ICH registry [Universitätsklinikum Erlangen Cohort of Patients With Spontaneous ICH]) were grouped into APT and non-APT ICH patients according to the platelet count, that is, with or without thrombocytopenia (cells <150×10 9 /L). Of all patients, 51.5% (1124 of 2183) were on vitamin K antagonist. Imbalances in baseline characteristics including proportions of vitamin K antagonist patients were addressed using propensity score matching. Outcome analyses included HE (>33%), as well as mortality and functional outcome, after 3 months using the modified Rankin Scale, dichotomized into favorable (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–3) and unfavorable (modified Rankin Scale score, 4–6). Results: Of overall 2252 ICH patients, 11.4% (52 of 458) under APT and 14.0% (242 of 1725) without APT presented with thrombocytopenia on admission. The proportion of patients with HE was not significantly different between patients with or without thrombocytopenia among APT and non-APT ICH patients after propensity score matching (HE: APT patients: 9 of 40 [22.5%] thrombocytopenia versus 27 of 115 [23.5%] nonthrombocytopenia, P =0.89; non-APT patients: 54 of 174 [31.0%] thrombocytopenia versus 106 of 356 [29.8%] nonthrombocytopenia, P =0.77). In both (APT and non-APT) propensity score matching cohorts, there were no significant differences regarding functional outcome. Mortality after 3 months did not differ among non-APT patients, whereas the mortality rate was significantly higher for APT patients with thrombocytopenia versus APT patients with normal platelet count (APT: 29 of 46 [63.0%] thrombocytopenia versus 58 of 140 [41.4%] nonthrombocytopenia, P =0.01; non-APT: 95 of 227 [41.9%] thrombocytopenia versus 178 of 455 [39.1%] nonthrombocytopenia, P =0.49). Conclusions: Our study implies that thrombocytopenia does not affect rates of HE and functional outcome among ICH patients, neither in patients with nor without APT. In light of increased mortality, the significance of platelet transfusions for ICH patients with thrombocytopenia and previous APT should be explored in future studies.

Download Full-text

Prognostic Significance of Admission Systemic Inflammation Response Index in Patients With Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.718032 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Junhong Li ◽

Yunbo Yuan ◽

Xiang Liao ◽

Zhiyuan Yu ◽

Hao Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Propensity Score ◽

Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

Propensity Score Matching ◽

Systemic Inflammation ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Prognostic Significance ◽

Predictive Ability ◽

Original Cohort ◽

Inflammation Response ◽

Response Index

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for ~15% of all strokes and is associated with high mortality and disability rates. The systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) is a novel systemic inflammatory marker based on peripheral neutrophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte counts. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of admission SIRI in patients with spontaneous ICH and compare its predictive ability with that of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). This retrospective study was conducted based on a prospectively collected database of patients with ICH between June 2016 and January 2019. Propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to adjust for potential imbalances in the clinical parameters. A total of 403 patients were included in the original cohort. The optimal SIRI cut-off value was 2.76. After 1:1 PSM based on potential confounding variables, a new cohort containing 262 patients was established for further analysis. In the original cohort, SIRI served as an independent predictor of 3-month functional outcome [odds ratio (OR), 1.302; 95% CI, 1.120–1.512; p = 0.001] and 1-month mortality (OR, 1.072; 95% CI, 1.020–1.126; p = 0.006), while NLR was independently associated with only 3-month functional outcomes (OR, 1.051; 95% CI, 1.004–1.100; p = 0.031) and not 1-month mortality. The same applied to the PSM cohort. Receiver operating characteristic analyses and predictive models indicated that in most instances, SIRI was superior to NLR and their components in predicting the outcomes of patients with ICH. Our study found that SIRI is determined to be an independent predictive indicator for ICH patients in 3-month functional outcomes and 1-month mortality. The prognostic predictive ability of SIRI was stronger than that of NLR.

Download Full-text

The SITS Open Study

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.031031 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Niaz Ahmed ◽

Kennedy R. Lees ◽

Rudiger von Kummer ◽

Staffan Holmin ◽

Irene Escudero-Martinez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Propensity Score Matching ◽

Scale Score ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Standard Care ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Large Artery ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose: We designed SITS (Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke) Open to determine benefit and safety of thrombectomy in clinical practice for large artery occlusion stroke, using selected stent retrievers plus standard care versus standard care alone. Methods: SITS Open was a prospective, open, blinded evaluation, international, multicenter, controlled, nonrandomized registry study. Centers lacking access to thrombectomy contributed controls. Primary end point was categorical shift in modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months in the per protocol (PP) population. Principal secondary outcomes were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, functional independency (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) and death at 3 months. Patients independently evaluated by video-recorded modified Rankin Scale interviews blinded to treatment or center identity by central core laboratory were regarded as PP population. Propensity score matching with covariate adjusted analysis was performed. Results: During 2014 to 2017, 293 patients (257 thrombectomy, 36 control) from 26 centers in 10 countries fulfilled intention-to-treat and 200 (170 thrombectomy, 30 control) PP criteria; enrollment of controls was limited by rapid uptake of thrombectomy. In PP analysis, median age was 71 versus 71 years, and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 17 versus 17 in the thrombectomy and control arms, respectively. The propensity score matching analysis for PP showed a significant shift for modified Rankin Scale at 3 months favoring the thrombectomy group (odds ratio, 3.8 [95% CI, 1.61–8.95]; P =0.002). Regarding safety, there were 4 cases of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in the thrombectomy group (2.4%) and none in the control group. Conclusions: In clinical practice, thrombectomy for patients with large artery occlusion stroke is superior to standard of care in our study. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique Identifier: NCT02326428.

Download Full-text

Severity assessment in maximally treated ICH patients

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000004174 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 89 (5) ◽

pp. 423-431 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Jochen A. Sembill ◽

Stefan T. Gerner ◽

Bastian Volbers ◽

Tobias Bobinger ◽

Hannes Lücking ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Propensity Score ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Propensity Score Matching ◽

Scale Score ◽

Predictive Validity ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Favorable Outcome ◽

Severity Assessment ◽

Poor Outcome ◽

Ich Score

Objective:As common prognostication models in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are developed variably including patients with early (<24 hours) care limitations (ECL), we investigated its interaction with prognostication in maximally treated patients and sought to provide a new unbiased severity assessment tool.Methods:This observational cohort study analyzed consecutive ICH patients (n = 583) from a prospective registry over 5 years. We characterized the influence of ECL on overall outcome by propensity score matching and on conventional prognostication using receiver operating characteristic analyses. We established the max-ICH score based on independent predictors of 12-month functional outcome in maximally treated patients and compared it to existing models.Results:Prevalence of ECL was 19.2% (n = 112/583) and all of these patients died. Yet propensity score matching displayed that 50.7% (n = 35/69) theoretically could have survived, with 18.8% (n = 13/69) possibly reaching favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–3). Conventional prognostication seemed to be confounded by ECL, documented by a decreased predictive validity (area under the curve [AUC] 0.67, confidence interval [CI] 0.61–0.73 vs AUC 0.80, CI 0.76–0.83; p < 0.01), overestimating poor outcome (mortality by 44.8%, unfavorable outcome by 10.1%) in maximally treated patients. In these patients, the novel max-ICH score (0–10) integrates strength-adjusted predictors, i.e., NIH Stroke Scale score, age, intraventricular hemorrhage, anticoagulation, and ICH volume (lobar and nonlobar), demonstrating improved predictive accuracy for functional outcome (12 months: AUC 0.81, CI 0.77–0.85; p < 0.01). The max-ICH score may more accurately delineate potentials of aggressive care, showing favorable outcome in 45.4% (n = 214/471) and a long-term mortality rate of only 30.1% (n = 142/471).Conclusions:Care limitations significantly influenced the validity of common prognostication models resulting in overestimation of poor outcome. The max-ICH score demonstrated increased predictive validity with minimized confounding by care limitations, making it a useful tool for severity assessment in ICH patients.

Download Full-text

Surgical Resection Significantly Promotes the Overall Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-148506/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pei-Min Hsieh ◽

Hung-Yu Lin ◽

Chao-Ming Hung ◽

Gin-Ho Lo ◽

I-Cheng Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Overall Survival ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Propensity Score Matching ◽

Surgical Resection ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Hbv Infection ◽

Cox Regression Analysis

Abstract Background: The benefits of surgical resection (SR) for various Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. We investigated the risk factors of overall survival (OS) and survival benefits of SR over nonsurgical treatments in patients with HCC of various BCLC stages.Methods: Overall, 2316 HCC patients were included, and their clinicopathological data and OS were recorded. OS was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed.Results: In total, 66 (2.8%), 865 (37.4%), 575 (24.8%) and 870 (35.0%) patients had BCLC stage 0, A, B, and C disease, respectively. Furthermore, 1302 (56.2%) of all patients, and 37 (56.9%), 472 (54.6%), 313 (54.4%) and 480 (59.3%) of patients with BCLC stage 0, A, B, and C disease, respectively, died. The median follow-up duration time was 20 (range 0-96) months for the total cohort and was subdivided into 52 (8-96), 32 (1-96), 19 (0-84), and 12 (0-79) months for BCLC stages 0, A, B, and C cohorts, respectively. The risk factors for OS were 1) SR and cirrhosis; 2) SR, cirrhosis, and Child-Pugh (C-P) class; 3) SR, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and C-P class; and 4) SR, HBV infection, and C-P class for the BCLC stage 0, A, B, and C cohorts, respectively. Compared to non-SR treatment, SR resulted in significantly higher survival rates in all cohorts. The 5-year OS rates for SR vs non-SR were 44.0% vs 28.7%, 72.2% vs 42.6%, 42.6% vs 36.2, 44.6% vs 23.5%, and 41.4% vs 15.3% (all p-values<0.05) in the total and BCLC stage 0, A, B, and C cohorts, respectively. After PSM, SR resulted in significantly higher survival rates compared to non-SR treatment in various BCLC stages.Conclusion: SR conferred significant survival benefits to patients with HCC of various BCLC stages and should be considered a recommended treatment for select HCC patients, especially patients with BCLC stage B and C disease.

Download Full-text

Restarting antiplatelet therapy after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000005742 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 91 (1) ◽

pp. e26-e36 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ching-Jen Chen ◽

Dale Ding ◽

Thomas J. Buell ◽

Fernando D. Testai ◽

Sebastian Koch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Secondary Outcomes

ObjectiveTo compare the functional outcomes and health-related quality of life metrics of restarting vs not restarting antiplatelet therapy (APT) in patients presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the ERICH (Ethnic/Racial Variations of Intracerebral Hemorrhage) study.MethodsAdult patients aged 18 years and older who were on APT before ICH and were alive at hospital discharge were included. Patients were dichotomized based on whether or not APT was restarted after hospital discharge. The primary outcome was a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were excellent outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–1), mortality, Barthel Index, and health status (EuroQol–5 dimensions [EQ-5D] and EQ-5D visual analog scale scores) at 90 days.ResultsThe APT and no APT cohorts comprised 127 and 732 patients, respectively. Restarting APT was associated with lower rates of good functional outcome (36.5% vs 40.8%; p = 0.021) and lower Barthel Index scores at 90 days (p = 0.041). The 2 cohorts were then matched in a 1:1 ratio, and the matched cohorts each comprised 107 patients. No difference in primary outcome was observed between restarting vs not restarting APT (35.5% vs 43.9%; p = 0.105). There were also no differences between the secondary outcomes of the 2 cohorts.ConclusionRestarting APT in patients with ICH of mild to moderate severity after acute hospitalization is not associated with worse functional outcomes or health-related quality of life at 90 days. In patients with significant cardiovascular risk factors who experience an ICH, restarting APT remains the decision of the treating practitioner.

Download Full-text

The effect of prophylactic hemoclip placement and risk factors of delayed post-polypectomy bleeding in polyps sized 6 to 20 millimeters: a propensity score matching analysis

BMC Gastroenterology ◽

10.1186/s12876-020-01454-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chun-Wei Chen ◽

Chia-Jung Kuo ◽

Cheng-Tang Chiu ◽

Ming-Yao Su ◽

Chun-Jung Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Propensity Score Matching ◽

Major Complication ◽

Potential Bias ◽

Polyp Size ◽

Propensity Score Matching Analysis ◽

History Of ◽

Snare Polypectomy

Abstract Background Delayed post-polypectomy bleeding (PPB) is a major complication of polypectomy. The effect of prophylactic hemoclipping on delayed PPB is uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic hemoclipping and identify the risk factors of delayed PPB. Methods Patients with polyps sized 6 to 20 mm underwent snare polypectomy from 2015 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients with prophylactic hemoclipping for delayed PPB prevention were included in the clipping group, and those without prophylactic hemoclipping were included in the non-clipping group. The incidence of delayed PPB and time to bleeding were compared between the groups. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the risk factors of delayed PPB. Propensity score matching was used to minimize potential bias. Results After propensity score matching, 612 patients with 806 polyps were in the clipping group, and 576 patients with 806 polyps were in the non-clipping group. There were no significant differences in the incidence of delayed PPB and days to bleeding between two groups (0.8% vs 1.3%, p = 0.4; 3.4 ± 1.94 days vs 4.13 ± 3.39 days, p = 0.94). In the multivariate analysis, the polyp size [Odds ratio (OR):1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.01–1.16, p = 0.03), multiple polypectomies (OR: 4.64, 95% CI:1.24–17.44, p = 0.02) and a history of anticoagulant use (OR:37.52, 95% CI:6.49–216.8, p < 0.001) were associated with delayed PPB. Conclusions In polyps sized 6 to 20 mm, prophylactic hemoclip placement did not decrease the risk of delayed PPB. Patients without risk factors including multiple polypectomies and anticoagulant use are no need to performing prophylactic hemoclipping.

Download Full-text

Subarachnoid hemorrhage and the female sex: analysis of risk factors, aneurysm characteristics, and outcomes

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2014.7.jns132318 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 121 (6) ◽

pp. 1367-1373 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Alhafidz Hamdan ◽

Jonathan Barnes ◽

Patrick Mitchell

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽

Scale Score ◽

Cerebral Artery ◽

Anterior Cerebral Artery ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Related Factors ◽

Poor Outcome

Object The pathophysiology of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is unclear. Sex may play a role in the outcome of patients with aSAH. Methods The authors retrospectively identified 617 patients with aSAH (April 2005 to February 2010) and analyzed sex differences in risk factors (age, hypertension, smoking, alcohol consumption, and family history), admission-related factors (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade and admission delay), aneurysm characteristics (site, side, location, and multiplicity), and outcomes (treatment modalities [coiling/clipping/both/conservative], complications [vasospasm and hydrocephalus], length of stay, and modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months). Results The female patients with aSAH were older than the male patients (mean age 56.6 vs 51.9 years, respectively, p < 0.001), and more women than men were ≥ 55 years old (56.2% vs 40.4%, respectively, p < 0.001). Women exhibited higher rates of bilateral (6.8% vs 2.6%, respectively, p < 0.05), multiple (11.5% vs 5.2%, respectively, p < 0.05), and internal carotid artery (ICA) (36.9% vs 17.5%, respectively, p < 0.001) aneurysms and a lower rate of anterior cerebral artery aneurysms (26.3% vs 44.8%, respectively, p < 0.001) than the men, but no side differences were noted. There were no sex differences in risk factors, admission-related factors, or outcome measures. For both sexes, outcomes varied according to aneurysm location, with odds ratios for a poor outcome of 1.62 (95% CI 0.91–2.86, p = 0.1) for middle cerebral artery, 2.41 (95% CI 1.29–4.51, p = 0.01) for ICA, and 2.41 (95% CI 1.29–4.51, p = 0.006) for posterior circulation aneurysms compared with those for anterior cerebral artery aneurysms. The odds ratio for poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 4–6) in women compared with men after adjusting for significant prognostic factors was 0.71 (95% CI 0.45–1.11, p > 0.05). Conclusions The overall outcomes after aSAH between women and men are similar.

Download Full-text

Risk Factor Analysis of Brucellosis in Hulunbuir, China, Using the Propensity Score Matching Method

Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.5812/jjm.113528 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Li Peng ◽

Xiuwen Liang ◽

Lei Zhu ◽

Chen Liang ◽

Chenfang Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Propensity Score Matching ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Large Scale ◽

Zoonotic Diseases ◽

Protective Measures ◽

Risk Of Disease ◽

Self Protection ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Background: Brucellosis is the most widespread zoonosis worldwide and one of the most neglected zoonotic diseases. At present, large-scale farms are growing rapidly, increasing the risk of disease transmission. Objectives: In this study, the propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis and explore the risk factors of brucellosis infection in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods: A questionnaire for brucellosis was designed based on general knowledge and the protection of key groups of brucellosis. Epidata 13.0 software was used to establish the questionnaire, and propensity score matching was used to select cases that met the requirements of case-controls. Results: A total of 152 cases and 456 controls were included. The results of the study show that feeding livestock, carrying lambs regularly, and raising livestock without protective measures can increase the risk of brucellosis infection. Conclusions: Behavioral factors are the main risk factors for brucellosis, and livestock keepers should strengthen self-protection when working.

Download Full-text

Adiposity and Outcome After Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.119.027900 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. 144-151

Author(s):

Zuolu Liu ◽

Nerses Sanossian ◽

Sidney Starkman ◽

Gilda Avila-Rinek ◽

Marc Eckstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Scale Score ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Related Quality ◽

Severely Obese

Background and Purpose: A survival advantage among individuals with higher body mass index (BMI) has been observed for diverse acute illnesses, including stroke, and termed the obesity paradox. However, prior ischemic stroke studies have generally tested only for linear rather than nonlinear relations between body mass and outcome, and few studies have investigated poststroke functional outcomes in addition to mortality. Methods: We analyzed consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke enrolled in a 60-center acute treatment trial, the NIH FAST-MAG acute stroke trial. Outcomes at 3 months analyzed were (1) death; (2) disability or death (modified Rankin Scale score, 2–6); and (3) low stroke-related quality of life (Stroke Impact Scale<median). Relations with BMI were analyzed univariately and in multivariate models adjusting for 14 additional prognostic variables. Results: Among 1033 patients with acute ischemic stroke, average age was 71 years (±13), 45.1% female, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 10.6 (±8.3), and BMI 27.5 (±5.6). In both unadjusted and adjusted analysis, increasing BMI was linearly associated with improved 3-month survival ( P =0.01) odds ratios in adjusted analysis for mortality declined across the BMI categories of underweight (odds ratio, 1.7 [CI, 0.6–4.9]), normal (odds ratio, 1), overweight (0.9 [CI, 0.5–1.4]), obese (0.5, [CI, 0.3–1.0]), and severely obese (0.4 [CI, 0.2–0.9]). In unadjusted analysis, increasing BMI showed a U-shaped relation to poststroke disability or death (modified Rankin Scale score, 2–6), with odds ratios of modified Rankin Scale score, 2 to 6 for underweight, overweight, and obese declined initially when compared with normal weight patients, but then increased again in severely obese patients, suggesting a U-shaped or J-shaped relation. After adjustment, including for baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, modified Rankin Scale score 2 to 6 was no longer related to adiposity. Conclusions: Mortality and functional outcomes after acute ischemic stroke have disparate relations with patients’ adiposity. Higher BMI is linearly associated with increased survival; and BMI has a U-shaped or J-shaped relation to disability and stroke-related quality of life. Potential mechanisms including nutritional reserve aiding survival during recovery and greater frequency of atherosclerotic than thromboembolic infarcts in individuals with higher BMI.

Download Full-text