Adherence to Antithrombotic Treatment and Ischemic Stroke Recurrence in Egypt and Germany: A Comparative Analysis

Cerebrovasc Dis. 2021;50(2):200-207. doi: 10.1159/000512610. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Abstract

Background: The burden of stroke weighs heavily in developing countries where recurrence rates clearly exceed that of developed countries. The impact of nonadherence to antithrombotic treatment within this context has been poorly investigated.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate patients with recurrent ischemic stroke in Egypt and Germany with focus on stroke subtype distribution and adherence to antithrombotic therapy.

Methods: We conducted a comparative cross-sectional retrospective cohort study enrolling consecutive patients hospitalized for recurrent ischemic stroke in 2017 in 2 academic centers. Data were collected on demographics, risk factors, stroke subtypes, and medication adherence. Nonadherence to antithrombotic agents was analyzed at the time point of index stroke (recurrent stroke). Predictors of nonadherence were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results: A total of 373 Egyptian and 468 German patients with ischemic stroke were included. The proportion of recurrent ischemic stroke among all patients was higher in the Egyptian cohort compared to the German cohort (33 vs. 10%, p < 0.05). Small-vessel occlusion stroke was the most frequent subtype in Egyptians, with a significantly greater proportion than in Germans (45 vs. 26%, p < 0.05). Nonadherence to antiplatelets at the time point of the recurrent stroke was higher in Egyptians than in Germans (82 vs. 19%, p < 0.001). Low educational attainment among Egyptians (OR 0.14, 95% CI [0.00-0.19], p < 0.01) and high comorbidity scores among Germans (OR 2.45, 95% CI [1.06-5.66], p < 0.05) were found to be predictors of nonadherence to antithrombotic treatment.

Conclusions: The large stroke recurrence burden in Egypt may be partly explained by differing adherence to secondary preventative antithrombotic pharmacotherapy. Predictors of medication nonadherence have to be addressed to reduce stroke recurrence disparities.

Keywords: Antithrombotic therapy; Egypt; Germany; Medication adherence; Recurrent ischemic stroke.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Egypt / epidemiology
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / adverse effects
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Health Services Research
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Stroke / diagnosis
  • Ischemic Stroke / drug therapy*
  • Ischemic Stroke / epidemiology
  • Medication Adherence*
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Secondary Prevention*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Fibrinolytic Agents