Readmissions and Mortality During the First Year After Stroke-Data From a Population-Based Incidence Study

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Pedro Abreu (Author) FMUP; Magalhaes, R (Author) ICBAS; Baptista, D (Author) Other; Elsa Azevedo (Author) FMUP; silva, mc (Author) Other; Correia, M (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Frontiers in Neurology

Vol. 11

ISSN: 1664-2295

Publisher: Frontiers Media

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 15 Citations

Scopus - 16 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-GJ4

DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00636

Abstract (EN): Background:After a first-ever-in-a-lifetime stroke (FELS), hospital readmissions are common and associated with increased mortality and morbidity of stroke survivors, thus, raising the overall health burden of stroke. Population-based stroke studies on hospital readmissions are scarce despite it being an important healthcare service quality indicator. We evaluated unplanned readmissions or death during the first year after a FELS and their potential factors, based on a Portuguese community register. Methods:Data were retrieved from a population-based prospective register undertaken in Northern Portugal (ACIN2) in 2009-2011. Retrospective information about unplanned hospital readmissions and case fatality within 1 year after FELS index hospitalization (FELS-IH) was evaluated. Readmission/death-free survival 1 year after discharge was estimated using the Kaplan-Meyer method. Independent risk factors for readmission/death were identified using Cox proportional hazard models. Results:Unplanned readmission/death within 1 year occurred in 120 (31.6%) of the 389 hospitalized FELS survivors. In 31.2% and 33.5% of the cases, it occurred after ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage, respectively. Infections and cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases were the main causes of readmission. Of the readmissions, 65.3% and 52.5% were potentially avoidable or stroke related, respectively. The main cause of potentially avoidable readmissions was the continuation/recurrence of the event responsible for the initial admission or a closely related condition (71.2%). Male sex, age, previous and post-stroke functional status, and FELS-IH length of stay were independent factors of readmission/death within 1 year. Conclusions:Almost one-third of FELS survivors were readmitted/dead 1 year after their FELS-IH. This outcome persisted after the first months after stroke hospitalization in all stroke subtypes. More than half of readmissions were considered potentially avoidable or stroke related.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11