Heart Lung and Circulation | 2019
Stroke Risk Factors and Outcomes in Indigenous Verse Non-Indigenous Australians
Abstract
Background: Stroke risk factors are well known, but there is little data on the prevalence of stroke risk factors in Indigenous Australian cohorts. We aim to assess the risk factors and the outcomes after stroke and compare these in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians presenting with acute strokes to the Wagga Wagga Rural Referral Hospital. Method: All suspected strokes presenting to hospitals within the Murrumbidgee local health district were transferred to the Wagga Wagga Rural Referral Hospital and prospectively assessed over a 5-year period from 01/10/2012 to 31/12/2017. Risks factors, stroke type, treatment and outcomes were analysed. Results: 1843 patients were included. Of these, 45 patients (2.5%) were Indigenous. Indigenous patients were younger (mean age 59.9 versus 71.9 (p = <0.001)), more likely to be ever smokers (84.44% versus 53.35% (p = <0.001)), have high cholesterol (73.33% versus 52.09% (p = 0.0048)), peripheral vascular disease (11.11% versus 4.68 (p = 0.047)) and diabetes (42.22% versus 22.88% (p = 0.0025)). Stroke types, treatment rates and outcomes on the modified Rankin Scale at 5 days was similar between the groups. Conclusion: Indigenous Australians suffer stroke at a younger age than non-Indigenous Australians. They have a higher prevalence of smoking, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes. Outcomes at 5 days were similar between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians supporting the role of coordinated stroke unit care in improving the outcome after stroke in Indigenous patients.