Corine Aboa-Eboulé

Prevalence of Early Dementia After First-Ever Stroke A 24-Year Population-Based Study

Backgound and Purpose— No data about temporal change in the prevalence of poststroke dementia are available. We aimed to evaluate trends in the prevalence of early poststroke dementia. Methods— From 1985 to 2008, overall first-ever strokes occurring within the population of the city of Dijon, France (150 000 inhabitants) were recorded. The presence of dementia was diagnosed during the first month after stroke, according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third and Fourth Editions criteria. Time trends were analyzed according to 4 periods: 1985 to 1990, 1991 to 1996, 1997 to 2002, and 2003 to 2008. Logistic regression was used for nonmultivariate analyses. Results— Over the 24 years, 3948 first-ever strokes were recorded. Among patients with stroke, 3201 (81%) were testable of whom 653 (20.4%) had poststroke dementia (337 women and 316 men). The prevalence of nontestable (mostly due to death) patients declined from 28.0% to 10.2% (P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed significant temporal changes in the prevalence of poststroke dementia; prevalence in the second and fourth periods was, respectively, almost half and twice that in the first period. The prevalence of poststroke dementia associated with lacunar stroke was 7 times higher than that in intracerebral hemorrhage but declined over time as did prestroke antihypertensive medication. Age, several vascular risk factors, hemiplegia, and prestroke antiplatelet agents were associated with an increased prevalence of poststroke dementia. Conclusions— This study covering a period of 24 years highlights temporal changes in the prevalence of early dementia after first-ever stroke. These changes may be explained by concomitant determinants of survival and incidence such as stroke care management or prestroke medication.

Poststroke Disposition and Associated Factors in a Population-Based Study The Dijon Stroke Registry

Background and Purpose— The organization of poststroke care will be a major challenge in coming years. We aimed to assess hospital disposition after stroke and its associated factors in clinical practice. Methods— All cases of stroke from 2006 to 2010 were identified from the population-based Stroke Registry of Dijon, France. Demographic features, risk factors, and prestroke treatments were recorded. Admission stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. At discharge, we collected dementia, disability using the modified Rankin Scale, length of stay, and hospital disposition (home, rehabilitation, convalescent home, and nursing home). Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models to identify associated factors of postdischarge disposition. Results— Of the patients with 1069 stroke included, 913 survived acute care. Among them, 433 (47.4%) returned home, whereas 206 (22.6%) were discharged to rehabilitation, 134 (14.7%) were admitted to a convalescent home, and 140 (15.3%) to a nursing home. Old patients, those under anticoagulants before stroke, those with severe stroke on admission, severe disability at discharge, dementia, or prolonged length of stay were less likely to return home. Moreover, advanced age, severe initial stroke, severe disability at discharge, and dementia were associated with admission to convalescent and nursing homes rather than rehabilitation centers. Conclusion— This population-based study demonstrated that postdischarge destinations are associated with several factors. Our findings may be useful to establish health policy concerning the organization of poststroke care.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with multiple cervical artery dissection.

Background and Purpose— Little is known about factors contributing to multiple rather than single cervical artery dissections (CeAD) and their associated prognosis. Methods— We compared the baseline characteristics and short-term outcome of patients with multiple to single CeAD included in the multicenter Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients (CADISP) study. Results— Among the 983 patients with CeAD, 149 (15.2%) presented with multiple CeAD. Multiple CeADs were more often associated with cervical pain at admission (odds ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–2.30), a remote history of head or neck surgery (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.16–3.00), a recent infection (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.12–2.61), and cervical manipulation (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.26–3.95). On imaging, cervical fibromuscular dysplasia (OR, 3.97; 95% CI, 2.04–7.74) and the presence of a pseudoaneurysm (OR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.86–4.57) were more often seen in patients with multiple CeAD. The presence of multiple rather than single CeAD had no effect on functional 3-month outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, ≥3; 12% in multiple CeAD versus 11.9% in single CeAD; OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.60–2.41). Conclusions— In the largest published series of patients with CeAD, we highlighted significant differences between multiple and single artery involvement. Features suggestive of an underlying vasculopathy (fibromuscular dysplasia) and environmental triggers (recent infection, cervical manipulation, and a remote history of head or neck surgery) were preferentially associated with multiple CeAD.

Time Trends in Hospital-Referred Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: Results of a 7-Year Nationwide Survey in France

Background: Nationwide evaluations of the burden of stroke are scarce. We aimed to evaluate trends in stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) hospitalization, in-hospital case fatality rates (CFRs) and mortality rates in France during 2000–2006. Methods: Hospitalizations for stroke and TIA were determined from National Hospital Discharge Diagnosis Records that used the International Classification of Disease, 10th revision, codes I60, I61, I63, I64, G45, G46. CFRs and mortality rates were estimated from the national death certificates database. Results: The total number of stays for stroke increased between 2000 and 2006 (88,371 vs. 92,118) contrasting with a decrease in that for TIA. The age-standardized (European population) hospitalization rates for TIA decreased in men (52.2 vs. 44.5/100,000/year, p = 0.002), whereas they remained stable in women (32.4 vs. 31.0/ 100,000/year). Concerning stroke, a decrease in hospitalization rates was observed in both men (from 135.3 to 123.4/ 100,000/year, p < 0.001) and women (from 85.1 to 80.7, p < 0.001). Whatever the age group and the sex, a sharp decrease in in-hospital stroke CFRs was noted. In addition, a 23% decrease in mortality rates was observed. This decrease was greater in patients >65 years. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a decline in hospitalization rates for stroke, and in both stroke CFRs and mortality rates between 2000 and 2006. Improvements in stroke prevention and acute stroke care may have contributed to these results, and may have been initiated by recent advances in health policy with regard to this disease in France.

Dijon’s vanishing lead with regard to low incidence of stroke

Background:  Towards the end of the 20th century, the city of Dijon, France, had a lower incidence of stroke than that found in other studies. It was hypothesized that genetic and environmental factors were responsible for this so‐called French paradox. We aim to evaluate recent changes in stroke incidence to determine whether or not the Dijon exception still exists.

Stroke care organization overcomes the deleterious ‘weekend effect’ on 1-month stroke mortality: a population-based study

Suffering a stroke during the weekend is associated with a poorer prognosis. The impact of implementing a dedicated stroke care network in Dijon, France, in 2003 on 30‐day mortality in strokes/transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) occurring during weekends/bank holidays was evaluated.

Association between serum concentration of vitamin D and 1-year mortality in stroke patients.

Background: The prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency is high in patients presenting with an acute stroke, and it may be associated with greater clinical severity and a poor early functional prognosis. However, no data about its impact on long-term prognosis is available. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between 25(OH)D levels and 1-year mortality in stroke patients. Methods: From February to December 2010, 382 Caucasian stroke patients admitted to the Department of Neurology of the University Hospital of Dijon, France, were enrolled prospectively. Demographics and clinical information including stroke severity assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score were collected. The serum concentration of 25(OH)D was measured at baseline. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association between 1-year all-cause mortality and serum 25(OH)D levels treated as either a log-transformed continuous variable or dichotomized (<25.7 and ≥25.7 nmol/l) at the first tertile of their distribution. Results: Of the 382 stroke patients included, 63 (16.5%) had died at 1 year. The mean 25(OH)D level was lower in these patients (32.3 ± 22.0 vs. 44.6 ± 28.7 nmol/l, p < 0.001), and survival at 1 year was worse in patients in the lowest tertile of 25(OH)D levels (defined as <25.7 nmol/l); log-transformed 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, HR = 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI: 0.44-0.87; p = 0.007), and patients with 25(OH)D levels <25.7 nmol/l were at a higher risk of death at 1 year (HR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.14-3.32; p = 0.014). In multivariable analyses, the association was no longer significant but a significant interaction was found for age, and stratified analyses by age groups showed an inverse relationship between 25(OH)D levels and 1-year mortality in patients aged <75 years [HR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.17-0.83; p = 0.015 for log-transformed 25(OH)D levels, and HR = 3.12; 95% CI: 0.98-9.93; p = 0.054 for 25(OH)D levels <25.7 vs. >25.7 nmol/l]. Conclusion: A low serum 25(OH)D level at stroke onset may be associated with higher mortality at 1 year in patients <75 years old. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine whether vitamin D supplementation could improve survival in stroke patients.

Prestroke antiplatelet therapy and early prognosis in stroke patients: the Dijon Stroke Registry

Previous antiplatelet therapy (APT) in cardiovascular prevention is common in patients with first‐ever stroke. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of APT on early outcome in stroke patients.

Associations between Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Levels and Both Severity and Early Outcome of Patients with Ischemic Stroke

We aimed to investigate associations between serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and both severity and outcome after ischemic stroke (IS). A total of 731 patients consecutive IS patients were enrolled (mean age 69.4 ± 15.4, 61.6% men), and serum TSH levels were measured at admission and analyzed according to the tertiles of their distribution (<0.822 vs. 0.822-1.6 vs. >1.6 mUI/l). Associations between TSH and both severity at admission (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores <5 vs. ≥5) and functional outcome at discharge assessed by the modified Rankin Scale were analyzed using logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression models, respectively. High TSH levels were independently associated with both a decreased risk of NIHSS score ≥5 at admission (prevalence proportion ratio = 0.62; 95% CI 0.41-0.94, p = 0.024 for tertile 3 vs. tertile 1). In addition, patients with high TSH levels had a better functional outcome at discharge (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.30-0.60, p < 0.001 for tertile 2 vs. tertile 1; OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.27-0.56, p < 0.001 for tertile 3 vs. tertile 1). The mechanisms underlying these associations and their potential exploitation in terms of therapeutic strategies need to be explored.

Vascular aphasia outcome after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator thrombolysis for ischemic stroke.

Introduction: No data about the specific outcome of aphasia after thrombolysis are available. Our aim was to describe the severity and type of aphasia after stroke thrombolysis. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included consecutive aphasic patients hospitalized in the Stroke Unit of Dijon (University Hospital, France) between 2004 and 2009 for a first-ever ischemic stroke of the left middle cerebral artery. Aphasic syndromes and their severity (French version of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination) were evaluated during the first week and 3 months after stroke. Results: In multivariate analyses, the severity of aphasia in the 37 thrombolysed patients was milder than in the 38 nonthrombolysed patients during the first week (adjusted OR = 10.13, 95% CI: 2.43-42.28, p = 0.002) and at 3 months (adjusted OR = 8.44, 95% CI: 2.76-25.80, p = 0.001). The frequency of mild aphasia (conduction or atypical) was not significantly higher in thrombolysed patients during the first week after stroke (adjusted OR = 5.80, 95% CI: 0.82-41.16, p = 0.079). Conclusion: The severity of aphasia during the first week and 3 months after stroke is milder in thrombolysed than in nonthrombolysed patients, perhaps because of a greater frequency of conduction and mild atypical aphasia.