Mortality-specific comorbidity among inpatients with ischemic stroke in West China

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the current condition of mortality-specific comorbidity among hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods: Five-year data of inpatients with ischemic stroke (IS) were extracted from the hospital medical database. A retrospective review of eighteen mortality-specific comorbidities in extensively validated Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was carried out for each patient. In addition, the distribution of the CCI-based prognostic score was calculated.

Results: A total of 10 331 (male 57.6%) cases with IS were recruited in the present study. The most prevalent mortality-specific comorbidities from high to low were as follows: peripheral vascular disease (35.1%), diabetes uncomplicated (25.2%),mild liver disease (18.3%), chronic pulmonary disease (14.7%), congestive heart failure (10.8%), atrial fibrillation or flutter (10.3%), diabetes complicated (9.1%), moderate or severe renal disease (7.5%), and dementia (7.1%). High prevalence of comorbidities in the elderly was also noted (31.1% patients with score ≥3). Spearman correlation analysis with a rho of 0.25 (P < 0.001) showed a mild correlation between the age- and the CCI-based prognostic score.

Conclusion: High prevalence of peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, liver disease, chronic pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or flutter as major contributors to mortality was presented in in-hospital patients with IS in our area. One-third of old patients with IS expose high mortality risk with the CCI score ≥3. Early prevention and management of the potential comorbidities are necessary to reduce the mortality.

Keywords: comorbidity; ischemic stroke; mortality; outcome.