Age Stratification and Stroke Severity in the Telestroke Network

Abstract

Background. Age is one of the most important risk factors for stroke, and an estimated 75% of strokes occur in people 65 years old and above. Adults > 75 years of age experience more hospitalizations and higher mortality. In this study, we aimed to investigate how age and various clinical risk factors affect acute ischemic stroke (AIS) severity in two age categories. Methods. This retrospective data analysis study was conducted using data collected from the PRISMA Health Stroke Registry between June 2010 and July 2016. Baseline clinical and demographic data were analyzed for 65–74-year-old patients and those ≥ 75 years of age. This study aimed to investigate risk factors associated with stroke severity in these two age categories of AIS patients treated in telestroke settings. Results. An adjusted multivariate analysis showed that the acute ischemic stroke (AIS) population of 65–74-year-old patients experiencing heart failure (odds ratio (OR) = 4.398, 95% CI = 3.912–494.613, p = 0.002) and elevated high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (OR = 1.066, 95% CI = 1.009–1.126, p = 0.024) trended towards worsening neurological function, while patients experiencing obesity (OR = 0.177, 95% CI = 0.041–0.760, p = 0.020) exhibited improved neurological functions. For the patients ≥ 75 years of age, direct admission (OR = 0.270, 95% CI = 0.085–0.856, p = 0.026) was associated with improved functions. Conclusions. Heart failure and elevated HDL levels were significantly associated with worsening neurologic functions in patients aged 65–74. Obese patients and individuals ≥ 75 years of age who were directly admitted were most likely to exhibit improving neurological functions.

Keywords

• age
• acute ischemic stroke
• comorbidities
• telestroke