Bahman Farahmand

Survival after stroke — The impact of CHADS2 score and atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVE This study examined all-cause mortality in stroke patients with and without documented atrial fibrillation (AF), and the impact of CHADS(2) score. DESIGN A cohort of 105,074 patients, 31,821 (30.3%) with and 73,253 (69.7%) without documented AF, was studied. These patients were registered in the Swedish Stroke Registry during the years 2001-2005. Mortality data were retrieved from the Swedish Cause of Death Register. CHADS(2) score prior to stroke were assessed using the Swedish National Discharge Register. RESULTS The age and sex adjusted relative risk (RR) of death was 1.46 (1.43-1.49) for AF vs non-AF patients. High age (>or=75 years) tripled the risk of death and was the single most important predictor, followed by congestive heart failure, previous stroke and diabetes. Less than half of the AF patients with a CHADS(2) score of 1-6 survived more than 5 years, whereas AF patients with a CHADS(2) score of 0 had a 73% chance of survival. In patients with AF, the relative risk of death was 6.05 (CI: 2.26-6.95); in subjects with the highest vs the lowest CHADS(2) score; the corresponding RR for non-AF patients was 7.93 (CI: 7.01-8.97). CONCLUSIONS The CHADS(2) score seems to have an impact on all-cause mortality after stroke. The CHADS(2) score can give valuable insight for other outcome variables apart from having had an ischemic stroke and can be applied to patients with different risk factor profiles, e.g. with a previous known cardiovascular disease but without known AF.

Ischemic Stroke and Secondary Prevention in Clinical Practice A Cohort Study of 14 529 Patients in the Swedish Stroke Register

Background and Purpose— Secondary prevention is recommended after stroke, but adherence to guidelines is unknown. We studied the prescription of antiplatelet drugs, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, statins, and anticoagulant drugs and their relation to risk of death. Methods— Patients with first-ever ischemic stroke in 2005 were registered in the Swedish Stroke Register. Odds ratios, hazard ratios, and 95% CIs were calculated using logistic and Cox proportional hazard regression models. Adjustments were performed for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, other drug therapies, and activities of daily living function. Results— In total, 14 529 patients with a mean age of 75.0 (±11.6) years were included. They were followed for 1.4 (±0.5) years: 52% had hypertension, 26% atrial fibrillation, 19% diabetes, and 15% were smokers. The odds ratio for prescription of antiplatelet was 2.20 (95% CI, 1.86 to 2.60) among the oldest patients (≥85 years of age) compared with the youngest (18 to 64 years of age). The corresponding odds ratio was 0.38 (0.32 to 0.45) for prescriptions of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, 0.09 (0.08 to 0.11) for statins, and 0.07 (0.05 to 0.09) for anticoagulant therapy. Prescription of statin and anticoagulant therapy was associated with reduced risk of death (hazard ratio, 0.78 [0.65 to 0.91] and hazard ratio, 0.58 [0.44 to 0.76], respectively) but not the prescription of antiplatelet drugs or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Conclusions— The prescription of antiplatelet, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, statins, and anticoagulant therapy was strongly age related. Statin and anticoagulant therapy was associated with reduced risk of death and seemed to be underused among elderly patients. These findings should encourage physicians to follow todays guidelines for stroke care.

Comparison of cardiovascular risk factors and survival in patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

Background Differences in risk factor profiles between patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke may have an impact on subsequent mortality. Aim To explore cardiovascular disease risk factors, including the CHADS2 score, with survival after ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Methods Between 2001 and 2005, 87 111 (83%) ischemic stroke, 12 497 (12%) hemorrhagic stroke, and 5435 (5%) patients with unspecified stroke were identified in the Swedish Stroke Register. Data on gender, age, and cardiovascular disease risk factors were linked to the Swedish Hospital Discharge and Cause of Death Registers. Adjusted odds and hazard ratios and 95% confidence interval were calculated using logistic and Cox proportional hazard regression models. Results Hemorrhagic stroke patients were younger than ischemic stroke patients. All cardiovascular disease risk factors studied, alone or combined in the CHADS2 score, were associated with higher odds ratios for ischemic stroke vs. hemorrhagic stroke. Higher CHADS2 scores and all studied risk factors except hypertension were associated with higher odds ratio for death by ischemic stroke than hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke was associated with lower early mortality (within 30 days) vs. hemorrhagic stroke (hazard ratio = 0·28, confidence interval 0·27 to 0·29). Conclusions Patients with hemorrhagic stroke had a higher risk of dying within the first 30 days after stroke, but the risk of death was similar in the two groups after one-month. Hypertension was the only cardiovascular disease risk factor associated with an increased mortality rate for hemorrhagic stroke as compared to ischemic stroke.

Association between enrolment in a heart failure quality registry and subsequent mortality-a nationwide cohort study.

Heart failure (HF) quality registries report quality of care but it is unknown whether they improve outcomes. The aims were to assess predictors of enrolment in a HF registry, test the hypothesis that enrolment in a HF registry is associated with reduced mortality, and assess potential explanatory factors for this reduction in mortality, if present.

Predictors of severe pain in a cohort of 5271 individuals with self-reported neuropathic pain

Summary In a large cohort self‐reporting neuropathic pain analyzed for possible predictors of severe pain, odds ratios indicated that mechanical hypersensitivity and certain pain descriptors are strongly associated with pain severity. Abstract The influence of pain descriptors and mechanical hypersensitivity on pain severity in neuropathic pain has not been well researched and is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between pain severity and other factors describing chronic neuropathic pain in a large cohort of patients with self‐reported neuropathic pain potentially recruited as subjects for a Phase IIa study. A questionnaire specific to the study parameters covering demographics and pain characteristics was sent to potential participants. Overall, 9185 questionnaires were returned from potential subjects who self‐reported neuropathic pain. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used as a measure of association. These were estimated by unconditional logistic regression. Pain descriptors in the questionnaire were: burning, shooting, shocking, and aching. The presence of self‐reported allodynia and hyperalgesia was strongly indicative of both moderate and severe pain, with a significant interaction of both factors in moderate and severe pain. Having 3 or 4 pain descriptors was also strongly indicative of both moderate and severe pain. Female gender, age, and history of serious mental disorders were found to be weaker indicators of both moderate and severe pain. Given the large and varied population with many neuropathic pain diagnoses in the study, the findings are not likely to be merely chance, but are likely to reflect important relationships between pain severity and other factors in those who suffer from chronic neuropathic pain.

Hemorrhage after ischemic stroke – relation to age and previous hemorrhage in a nationwide cohort of 58 868 patients

Background In randomized controlled trials of secondary prevention after stroke, the risk of hemorrhage varies between 1% and 5% per year in patients with antithrombotic therapy, i.e. anticoagulants and antiplatelets. Aim To explore the rate and the risk of hemorrhage after stroke in a nationwide cohort. Methods We identified 58 868 first ever ischemic stroke patients in the Swedish Stroke Register during 2001 to 2005 (=index stroke) and followed them by record linkage to the National Patient Register. Rates of hemorrhage and hazard ratios, for comparisons of rates between subgroups, were calculated. Results Of the 58 586 ischemic stroke patients identified, 5527 (9·4%) had a history of hemorrhage. During follow-up (mean 2·0 years), 2876 patients endured a hemorrhage, giving an average hemorrhage rate of 2·6 (95% confidence interval 2·5–2·7) per 100 person-years. After index stroke, 11% of the patients were discharged with anticoagulants, and 79% with antiplatelets. Given the differences in baseline characteristics, the hemorrhage rates (per 100 person-years) were 2·5 (95% confidence interval 2·2–2·8), 2·4 (95% confidence interval 2·3–2·5), and 3·8 (95% confidence interval 3·5–4·2) in patients prescribed anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and no antithrombotics, respectively. There was an increased risk of hemorrhage in patients ≥75 years compared with those <75 years (hazard ratio = 1·61, 95% confidence interval 1·49–1·73) and in patients with previous hemorrhages compared with those without (hazard ratio = 1·82, 95% confidence interval 1·64–2·02). Conclusions When antithrombotics were used in large-scale clinical practice, the observed rates of hemorrhage were similar with anticoagulant therapy but increased with antiplatelet therapy compared with rates reported in randomized controlled trials. Old age and previous hemorrhage were associated with an increased risk of hemorrhage after an ischemic stroke.

First-Ever Atrial Fibrillation Documented After Hemorrhagic or Ischemic Stroke: The Role of the CHADS(2) Score at the Time of Stroke.

The CHADS2 score (C, congestive heart failure [CHF]; H, hypertension [HT]; A, age ≥75 y; D, diabetes mellitus; S2, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack) is used to assess the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, its role in patients without documented AF is not well explored.

To Treat or Not to Treat: Anticoagulants as Secondary Preventives to the Oldest Old With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background and Purpose— Anticoagulant treatment is effective for preventing recurrent ischemic strokes in patients who have atrial fibrillation. This benefit is paid by a small increase of hemorrhages. Anticoagulant-related hemorrhages seem to increase with age, but there are few studies showing whether the benefits of treatment persist in old age. Methods— For this observational study, 4 different registers were used, among them Riksstroke, the Swedish Stroke Register. Patients who have had a recent ischemic stroke, were 80 to 100 years of age, and had atrial fibrillation, were included from 2006 through 2013. The patients were stratified into 3 age groups: 80 to 84, 85 to 89, and ≥90 years of age. Information on stroke severity, risk factors, drugs, and comorbidities was gathered from the registers. The patients were followed with respect to ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, other hemorrhages, or death. Results— Of all 23 356 patients with atrial fibrillation, 6361 (27%) used anticoagulants after an ischemic stroke. Anticoagulant treatment was associated with less recurrent ischemic stroke in all age groups. Hemorrhages increased most in the ≥90-year age group, but this did not offset the overall beneficial effect of the anticoagulant. Apart from age, no other cardiovascular risk factor or comorbidity was identified that influenced the risk of anticoagulant-associated hemorrhage. Drugs other than anticoagulants did not influence the incidence of major hemorrhage. Conclusions— Given the patient characteristics in this study, there is room for more patients to be treated with anticoagulants, without hemorrhages to prevail. In nonagenarians, hemorrhages increased somewhat more, but this did not affect the overall outcome in this age stratum.