BASEL, Switzerland,
May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/
-- New research, presented today at the 10th
European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC) 2024, has revealed
that high-income individuals have a 32% lower risk of post-stroke
mortality. Additionally, those with a higher education have a
26% lower risk of death post-stroke, highlighting striking
disparities in stroke survival based on key social determinants of
health (SDoH).
The study analysed data from 6,901 stroke patients in
Gothenburg, Sweden between
November 2014 to December 2019 to examine the impact of SDoH
factors on post-stroke mortality risk. The study focused on four
factors: living area, country of birth, education and income.
As well as identifying a significant connection between income,
education level and post-stroke mortality risk, the study uncovered
a concerning trend regarding the cumulative impact of SDoH factors.
Patients with one unfavourable factor faced an 18% higher risk of
mortality compared to patients without any unfavourable factors.
This risk escalated to 24% for patients with two to four
unfavourable factors.
Lead author Professor Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen, University
of Gothenburg, Clinical
Neuroscience, Gothenburg, Sweden,
comments, "Our findings underscore a stark reality - an
individual's socioeconomic status can be a matter of life or death
in the context of stroke, especially when they are confronted with
multiple unfavourable SDoH factors."
The study also found a link between increased mortality risk and
additional risk factors like physical inactivity, diabetes, alcohol
abuse and atrial fibrillation.
Notably, insights emerged regarding gender disparities and the
potential impact of risk factors when examining patient
characteristics within the study cohort. The proportion of female
patients increased with the number of unfavourable SDoH factors;
41% of the group with no unfavourable factors were female compared
to 59% of the group with two to four unfavourable factors.
Additionally, smoking, whether current or within the past year, was
more prevalent in the group with two to four unfavourable factors
compared to those with none (19% versus 12%).
Commenting on the actions required to reduce the stroke burden,
Professor Stibrant Sunnerhagen explains, "In light of our study's
findings, targeted interventions are essential. Policymakers must
tailor legislation and approaches to account for the specific
circumstances of diverse communities, while clinicians should
consider identifying patients with unfavourable SDoH factors to
prevent post-stroke mortality."
"By addressing these disparities, we have the potential to
significantly enhance public health outcomes."
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