Predictors of short- and long-term mortality in first-ever ischaemic older stroke patients

Abstract

Aim: Predictors of short- and long-term all-cause mortality of older stroke patients were explored.

Methods: Cox regression models were used to estimate the relative risk and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in the database entries of 636 older stroke patients aged 70 years and over.

Results: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission, age and coronary heart disease were significantly associated with 28-day death. The hazard ratios for the predictors of long-term mortality were as follows: NIHSS score, 1.1 (95% CI: 1.07-1.1); serum glucose level, 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01-1.2); serum triglyceride level, 0.6 (95% CI: 0.4-0.8); age, 1.04 (95% CI: 1.01-1.08); and coronary heart disease, 2.7 (95% CI: 1.4-5.4).

Conclusions: NIHSS score on admission, age and coronary heart disease are independent predictors of short- and long-term mortality. Higher glucose and lower triglyceride level are significantly associated with the long-term mortality.

Keywords: mortality; older patient; older stroke patient; prognosis.