Disparities in stroke incidence contributing to disparities in stroke mortality

Abstract

Objective While black-white and regional disparities in U.S. stroke mortality rates are well documented, the contribution of disparities in stroke incidence is unknown. We provide national estimates of stroke incidence by race and region, contrasting these to publicly available stroke mortality data. Methods This analysis included 27,744 men and women without prevalent stroke (40.4% black), aged ≥45 years from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) national cohort study, enrolled 2003–2007. Incident stroke was defined as first occurrence of stroke over 4.4 years of follow-up. Age-sex–adjusted stroke mortality rates were calculated using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiological Research (WONDER) System. Results There were 460 incident strokes over 113,469 person-years of follow-up. Relative to the rest of the United States, incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of stroke in the southeastern stroke belt and stroke buckle were 1.06 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87–1.29) and 1.19 (95% CI, 0.96–1.47), respectively. The age-sex–adjusted black/white IRRblack was 1.51 (95% CI, 1.26–1.81), but for ages 45–54 years the IRRblack was 4.02 (95% CI, 1.23–13.11) while for ages 85+ it was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.33–2.20). Generally, the IRRsblack were less than the mortality rate ratios (MRRs) across age groups; however, only in ages 55–64 years and 65–74 years did the 95% CIs of IRRsblack not include the MRRblack. The MRRs for regions were within 95% CIs for IRRs. Interpretation National patterns of black-white and regional differences in stroke incidence are similar to those for stroke mortality; however, the magnitude of differences in incidence appear smaller.

Trends in Acute Ischemic Stroke Hospitalizations in the United States

“…With regard to sex‐specific AIS hospitalization rates, our findings of a lower age‐adjusted AIS hospitalization rates in women compared to men in the United States is consistent with prior studies 6, 9, 17, 30, 31, 32…”

Breastfeeding History and Risk of Stroke Among Parous Postmenopausal Women in the Women's Health Initiative

“…Although this study's findings could not establish a causal relationship between breastfeeding and risk of stroke, health disparities surrounding stroke1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and breastfeeding rates52, 53, 54 persist. Stroke is 1 of the leading causes of death among Hispanic and non‐Hispanic black women over 65 2, 4.…”

“…Stroke costs the nation $34 billion annually including the cost of healthcare services, medications, and lost productivity 1. Approximately 55 000 more US women than men suffer from a stroke annually 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Compared with elderly men, elderly female stroke survivors are also at increased risk for moderate to severe disability, poorer quality of life, and institutionalization 16, 17…”

“…Stroke is higher among Hispanics and non‐Hispanic blacks compared with non‐Hispanic whites 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18. Hispanic and non‐Hispanic black women are at higher risk of stroke, partially due to increased rates of hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and physical inactivity,1, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 which are a few stroke risk factors.…”

Performance of the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Pooled Cohort Risk Equations by Social Deprivation Status

“…When nonfatal events were reported, medical records were retrieved for adjudication. Stroke events were confirmed by a panel of experts following the World Health Organization definition 19. Nonfatal MIs were adjudicated by trained clinicians following published guidelines 20, 21, 22, 23.…”