Regional Disparities in Prehospital Delay of Acute Ischemic Stroke: The Korean Stroke Registry.

BACKGROUND: Late hospital arrival keeps patients with stroke from receiving recanalization therapy and is associated with poor outcomes. This study used a nationwide acute stroke registry to investigate the trends and regional disparities in prehospital delay and analyze the significant factors associated with late arrivals. METHODS: Patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack between January 2012 and December 2021 were included. The prehospital delay was identified, and its regional disparity was evaluated using the Gini coefficient for nine administrative regions. Multivariate models were used to identify factors significantly associated with prehospital delays of >4.5 h. RESULTS: A total of 144,014 patients from 61 hospitals were included. The median prehospital delay was 460 min (interquartile range, 116-1912), and only 36.8% of patients arrived at hospitals within 4.5 h. Long prehospital delays and high regional inequality (Gini coefficient > 0.3) persisted throughout the observation period. After adjusting for confounders, age > 65 years old (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-1.27), female sex (aOR = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.05-1.13), hypertension (aOR = 1.12; 95% CI, 1.08-1.16), diabetes mellitus (aOR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.33-1.43), smoking (aOR = 1.15, 95% CI, 1.11-1.20), premorbid disability (aOR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.37-1.52), and mild stroke severity (aOR = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.50-1.61) were found to independently predict prehospital delays of >4.5 h. CONCLUSION: Prehospital delays were lengthy and had not improved in Korea, and there was a high regional disparity. To overcome these inequalities, a deeper understanding of regional characteristics and further research is warranted to address the vulnerabilities identified.

Global hyperperfusion after successful endovascular thrombectomy is linked to worse outcome in acute ischemic stroke.

Patients with stroke may develop hyperperfusion after a successful endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). However, the relationship between post-EVT hyperperfusion and clinical outcomes remains unclear and requires further clarification. We reviewed consecutive patients with anterior circulation occlusion who were successfully recanalized with EVT. Based on post-EVT arterial spin-labeling images, hyperperfusion was categorized as follows: global hyperperfusion (GHP), increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) in ≥ 50% of the culprit vessel territory; focal hyperperfusion (FHP), increased CBF in < 50% of the culprit vessel territory; no hyperperfusion (NHP), no discernible CBF increase. Factors associated with hyperperfusion were assessed, and clinical outcomes were compared among patients under different hyperperfusion categories. Among 131 patients, 25 and 40 patients developed GHP and FHP, respectively. Compared to other groups, the GHP group had worse National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (GHP vs. NHP/FHP, 18.1 ± 7.4 vs. 12.3 ± 6.0; p < 0.001), a larger post-EVT infarct volume (98.9 [42.3-132.7] vs. 13.5 [5.0-34.1] mL; p < 0.001), and a worse 90-day outcome (modified Rankin Scale, 3 [1-4] vs. 2 [0-3]; p = 0.030). GHP was independently associated with infarct volume (B = 0.532, standard error = 0.163, p = 0.001), and infarct volume was a major mediator of the association of GHP with unfavorable outcomes (total effect: ß = 0.176, p = 0.034; direct effect: ß = 0.045, p = 0.64; indirect effect: ß = 0.132, p = 0.017). Patients presenting with post-EVT GHP had poorer neurological prognosis, which is likely mediated by a large infarct volume.

Clonal Hematopoiesis and Acute Ischemic Stroke Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) on the manifestation and clinical outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: Patients with AIS were included from a prospective registry coupled with a DNA repository. Targeted next-generation sequencing on 25 genes that are frequently mutated in hematologic neoplasms was performed. The prevalence of CHIP was compared between patients with AIS and age-matched healthy individuals. A multivariate linear or logistic regression model was used to assess the association among CHIP and stroke severity, hemorrhagic transformation, and functional outcome at 90 days. RESULTS: In total, 380 patients with AIS (mean age = 67.2 ± 12.7 years; 41.3% women) and 446 age-matched controls (mean age = 67.2 ± 8.7 years; 31.4% women) were analyzed. The prevalence of CHIP was significantly higher in patients with AIS than in the healthy controls (29.0 vs 22.0%, with variant allele frequencies of 1.5%, p = 0.024). PPM1D was found to be most significantly associated with incident AIS (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 7.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.83-33.63, p = 0.006). The presence of CHIP was significantly associated with the initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (ß = 1.67, p = 0.022). Furthermore, CHIP was independently associated with the occurrence of hemorrhagic transformation (65/110 clonal hematopoiesis positive [CH+] vs 56/270 CH negative [CH-], aOR = 5.63, 95% CI = 3.24-9.77, p < 0.001) and 90-day functional disability (72/110 [CH+] vs 99/270 [CH-], aOR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.20-3.88, p = 0.011). INTERPRETATION: CH was significantly associated with incident AIS. Moreover, particularly, sequence variations in PPM1D, TET2, and DNMT3A represent a new prognostic factor for AIS. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:836-847.

Prevalence and Related Factors of Depression Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly altered the daily lives of people in unprecedented ways, causing a variety of mental health problems. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of depression among Korean adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the factors associated with depressive mood using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES). METHODS: We analyzed participants aged ≥ 19 years from KNHANES 2018 (n = 5,837) and 2020 (n = 5,265) to measure and compare the prevalence of depression before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression was defined as a score ≥ 10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Furthermore, we performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to investigate the independent predictors of depressive mood during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was notably higher during the COVID-19 pandemic than in the pre-pandemic period (5.2% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.043). In a multivariate model, female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-2.41), age < 50 years (19-29 years: aOR, 7.31; 95% CI, 2.40-22.21; 30-39 years: aOR, 7.38; 95% CI, 2.66-20.47; 40-49 years: aOR, 4.94; 95% CI, 1.84-13.31 compared to ≥ 80 years), unemployment (aOR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.41-2.85), upper-middle class household income (aOR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.18-2.85 compared to upper-class income), being a beneficiary of Medicaid (aOR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.33-4.14), poor self-rated health (aOR, 4.99; 95% CI, 1.51-3.47 compared to good self-rated health), and current smoking (aOR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.51-3.47) were found to be significant risk factors for depression during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Depression was significantly more prevalent among Korean adults during the COVID-19 pandemic than in the pre-pandemic era. Therefore, more attention should be paid to individuals vulnerable to depression during pandemics. Implementing psychological support public policies and developing interventions to prevent the adverse outcomes of COVID-19-related depression should be considered.

Classification of white matter lesions and characteristics of small vessel disease markers.

OBJECTIVES: Radiological markers for cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) may have different biological underpinnings in their development. We attempted to categorize SVD burden by integrating white matter signal abnormalities (WMSA) features and secondary presence of lacunes, microbleeds, and enlarged perivascular spaces. METHODS: Data were acquired from 610 older adults (aged > 40 years) who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging exam as part of a health checkup. The WMSA were classified individually by the number and size of non-contiguous lesions, distribution, and contrast. Age-detrended lacunes, microbleeds, and enlarged perivascular space were quantified to further categorize individuals. Clinical and laboratory values were compared across the individual classes. RESULTS: Class I was characterized by multiple, small, deep WMSA but a low burden of lacunes and microbleeds; class II had large periventricular WMSA and a high burden of lacunes and microbleeds; and class III had limited juxtaventricular WMSA and lacked lacunes and microbleeds. Class II was associated with older age, diabetes, and a relatively higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. Smoking and higher uric acid levels were associated with an increased risk of class I. CONCLUSION: The heterogeneity of SVD was categorized into three classes with distinct clinical correlates. This categorization will improve our understanding of SVD pathophysiology, risk stratification, and outcome prediction. KEY POINTS: • Classification of white matter signal abnormality (WMSA) features was associated with different characteristic of lacunes, microbleeds, and enlarged perivascular space and clinical variability. • Class I was characterized by multiple, small, deep WMSA but a low burden of lacunes and microbleeds. Class II had large periventricular WMSA and a high burden of lacunes and microbleeds. Class III had limited juxtaventricular WMSA and lacked lacunes and microbleeds. • Class II was associated with older age, diabetes, and higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. Smoking and higher uric acid levels were associated with an increased risk of class I.

Influenza Vaccination Status and Its Affecting Factors among Stroke Survivors: Findings from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Few studies have examined the influenza vaccination rates among stroke survivors despite the importance of vaccines in preventing influenza- and stroke-related complications. Thus, we investigated the vaccination rates and the associated factors among stroke survivors using the representative Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014-2018. We measured and compared the vaccination rates of 591 stroke survivors and 17,997 non-stroke survivors. Multivariate logistic regression analyses of all stroke survivors and age subgroups (<65 and ≥65 years) were performed to identify the factors influencing vaccination. The overall vaccination rate was significantly higher in the stroke survivors (64.8%) than in the non-stroke survivors (41.1%), but it was low compared to global standards. Among stroke survivors aged <65 years, the rate was low (37.5%), but it improved in those aged ≥65 years (85.6%). Age ≥ 65 years, the eligible age for the national free vaccination program was the most prominent predictor of vaccination for all stroke survivors, while smoking was a negative predictor. No significant factors were found in the subgroup analyses according to age (<65 and ≥65 years). Therefore, implementing strategic public health policies, such as expanding the free vaccination program to stroke survivors aged <65 years, may improve vaccine coverage.

Impact of a family history of cardiovascular disease on prevalence, awareness, treatment, control of dyslipidemia, and healthy behaviors: Findings from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: Family history (FH) is one of important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, little is known about its impact on dyslipidemia prevalence and management status. Thus, we aimed to investigate the impact of FH of CVD on dyslipidemia prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and healthy behaviors in Korean adults. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using representative data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2014-2018. A total of 22,024 participants aged ≥ 19 years without histories of CVDs were classified into two groups according to the presence of FH of CVD (with FH, n = 3,778; without FH, n = 18,246). FH of CVD was defined as having a first-degree relative with ischemic heart disease or stroke. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between FH of CVD and dyslipidemia prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and healthy behaviors (weight control, non-smoking, non-risky drinking, sufficient physical activity, and undergoing health screening). RESULTS: FH of CVD was significantly associated with a higher dyslipidemia prevalence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-1.51), better awareness (aOR 1.54, 95%CI 1.19-2.00), and treatment rates (aOR 1.34, 95%CI 1.12-1.60), but not control. Having an FH of CVD was not predictive of any healthy behaviors in dyslipidemia patients. For non-dyslipidemia patients, FH of CVD even showed significant association with smoking (aOR 1.18, 95%CI 1.02-1.36), and risky drinking (aOR 1.20, 95%CI 1.03-1.40) while it was predictive of receiving health screening (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.27). CONCLUSIONS: Having an FH of CVD might positively trigger dyslipidemia patients to start pharmacological intervention, but not non-pharmacological interventions. Therefore, physicians should make more efforts to educate and promote the importance of non-pharmacological behavioral modification in dyslipidemia patients with an FH of CVD.

Effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy in cancer-related stroke and associated factors with unfavorable outcome.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in cancer-related stroke (CRS) is largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of MT in CRS patients. We also explored the factors that independently affect functional outcomes of patients with CRS after MT. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 341 patients who underwent MT after acute ischemic stroke onset between May 2014 and May 2020. We classified the patients into CRS (n = 34) and control (n = 307) groups and compared their clinical details. Among CRS patients, we analyzed the groups with and without good outcomes (3-months modified Rankin scale [mRS] score 0, 1, 2). Multivariate analysis was performed to investigate the independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes in patients with CRS after MT. RESULTS: A total of 341 acute ischemic stroke patients received MT, of whom 34 (9.9%) had CRS. Although the baseline National institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS) score and the rate of successful recanalization was not significantly different between CRS patients and control group, CRS patients showed more any cerebral hemorrhage after MT (41.2% vs. controls 23.8%, p = 0.037) and unfavorable functional outcome at 3 months (CRS patients median 3-month mRS score 4, interquartile range [IQR] 2 to 5.25 vs. controls median 3-month mRS score 3, IQR 1 to 4, [p = 0.026]). In the patients with CRS, elevated serum D-dimer level and higher baseline NIHSS score were independently associated with unfavorable functional outcome at 3 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.524, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.043-2.226; aOR: 1.264, 95% CI: 1.010-1.582, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: MT is an appropriate therapeutic treatment for revascularization in CRS patients. However, elevated serum D-dimer levels and higher baseline NIHSS scores were independent predictors of unfavorable outcome. Further research is warranted to evaluate the significance of these predictors.