Naoxueshu Oral Liquid Accelerates Post-Craniotomy Hematoma Absorption in Patients: An Open-Label, Multicenter, and Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether Naoxueshu Oral Liquid (NXS) could promote hematoma absorption in post-craniotomy hematoma (PCH) patients. METHODS: This is an open-label, multicenter, and randomized controlled trial conducted at 9 hospitals in China. Patients aged 18-80 years with post-craniotomy supratentorial hematoma volume ranging from 10 to 30 mL or post-craniotomy infratentorial hematoma volume less than 10 mL, or intraventricular hemorrhage following cranial surgery were enrolled. They were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to the NXS (10 mL thrice daily for 15 days) or control groups using a randomization code table. Standard medical care was administered in both groups. The primary outcome was the percentage reduction in hematoma volume from day 1 to day 15. The secondary outcomes included the percentage reduction in hematoma volume from day 1 to day 7, the absolute reduction in hematoma volume from day 1 to day 7 and 15, and the change in neurological function from day 1 to day 7 and 15. The safety was closely monitored throughout the study. Moreover, subgroup analysis was performed based on age, gender, history of diabetes, and etiology of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned between March 30, 2018 and April 15, 2020. One patient was lost to follow-up in the control group. Finally, there were 119 patients (60 in the NXS group and 59 in the control group) included in the analysis. In the full analysis set (FAS) analysis, the NXS group had a greater percentage reduction in hematoma volume from day 1 to day 15 than the control group [median (Q1, Q3): 85% (71%, 97%) vs. 76% (53%, 93%), P<0.05]. The secondary outcomes showed no statistical significance between two groups, either in FAS or per-protocol set (P>0.05). Furthermore, no adverse events were reported during the study. In the FAS analysis, the NXS group exhibited a higher percentage reduction in hematoma volume on day 15 in the following subgroups: male patients, patients younger than 65 years, patients without diabetes, or those with initial cranial surgery due to ICH (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of NXS demonstrated the potential to promote the percentage reduction in hematoma volume from day 1 to day 15. This intervention was found to be safe and feasible. The response to NXS may be influenced by patient characteristics. (Registration No. ChiCTR1800017981).

Relationship of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Retinal Vessel Calibers with Cognitive Impairment in the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Population.

Objective: Cognitive impairment (CI) in older individuals has a high morbidity rate worldwide, with poor diagnostic methods and susceptible population identification. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between different retinal metrics and CI in a particular population, emphasizing polyvascular status. Methods: We collected information from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community Study on retinal vessel calibers, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and cognitive function of 3,785 participants, aged 40 years or older. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between retinal metrics and cognitive function. Subgroups stratified by different vascular statuses were also analyzed. Results: RNFL thickness was significantly thinner in the CI group (odds ratio: 0.973, 95% confidence interval: 0.953-0.994). In the subgroup analysis, the difference still existed in the non-intracranial arterial stenosis, non-extracranial carotid arterial stenosis, and peripheral arterial disease subgroups ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: A thin RNFL is associated with CI, especially in people with non-large vessel stenosis. The underlying small vessel change in RNFL and CI should be investigated in the future.

Association Between Pre-Stroke Subjective Sleep Status and Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment: A Nationwide Multi-Center Prospective Registry.

Background: Although sleep disorders significantly increase the risk of cognitive impairment, literature is relatively scarce regarding the impact of sleep status on cognitive function in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We seek to study the association between pre-stroke subjective sleep status and cognitive function at 3 months after stroke. Patients and methods: Data were analyzed for 1,759 AIS patients from the Impairment of Cognition and Sleep after Acute Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack in Chinese Patients Study (ICONS). Pre-stroke subjective sleep status was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Greater sleep fragmentation was defined as waking up in the middle of the night or early morning ≥3 times a week. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at 3 months after stroke. Primary endpoint was the incidence of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) at 3 months after stroke. The association between subjective sleep status and PSCI was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Results: PSCI occurred in 52.1% at 3 months after stroke. Patients with very bad sleep quality before stroke were at increased risk of PSCI (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.11-4.03; P=0.03). Subgroup analysis found that the association between very bad sleep quality and PSCI was more evident among patients with high school education or above (OR, 5.73; 95% CI, 1.92-17.10; P for interaction=0.02). In addition, patients with greater sleep fragmentation before stroke were also at higher risk of PSCI (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.20-2.01; P<0.01). Similarly, subgroup analysis showed that the risk of PSCI was more pronounced among patients without employment (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.59-3.77; P for interaction=0.01). Conclusion: Very bad sleep quality and greater sleep fragmentation before stroke were identified as independent risk factors for PSCI at 3 months after stroke.

Impact of Persistent Poor Sleep Quality on Post-Stroke Anxiety and Depression: A National Prospective Clinical Registry Study.

Purpose: The impact of poor sleep quality after stroke, especially persistent poor sleep quality, on poststroke anxiety and depression is unclear. We seek to investigate the impact of baseline and persistent poor sleep quality on short-term poststroke anxiety and depression. Patients and Methods: Data were analyzed for 1619 patients with acute ischemic stroke from the Impairment of Cognition and Sleep after Acute Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack in Chinese Patients study (ICONS). The sleep quality was assessed at 2 weeks and 3 months using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale (PSQI). Poor sleep quality was defined as a PSQI score of >5, and persistent poor sleep quality was defined as a PSQI score of >5 at each time point. Patients were divided into three groups according to the quality of sleep: good sleep quality, baseline poor sleep quality and persistent poor sleep quality. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7), and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months after stroke were taken as the study outcomes. Results: Persistent poor sleep quality was present in 70.2% of patients after stroke. Compared to those with good sleep quality, patients with baseline poor sleep quality did not show significant differences in disability, anxiety and depression. However, patients with persistent poor sleep were at increased risk of depression (odds ratio, OR 3.04, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.66-5.57, P < 0.01) and anxiety (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.42-7.19, P < 0.01) at 3 months after stroke. Persistent poor sleep quality was not identified as a risk factor for functional disability at 3 months. Conclusion: Patients with persistent poor sleep quality are at added risks for depression and anxiety after stroke.

Prognosis and antiplatelet therapy of small single subcortical infarcts in penetrating artery territory: a post hoc analysis of the Third China National Stroke Registry.

Background: Small single subcortical infarction (SSSI) may be classified as parent artery disease-related or only branch involved according to the stenosis of parent artery. The study aimed to evaluate short-term and long-term prognoses and the effectiveness of antiplatelet therapy in SSSI. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 2890 patients with SSSI from the Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR-III) database from August 2015 to March 2018. We assessed clinical outcomes and antiplatelet treatment effects in patients with SSSI with and without parent artery stenosis (PAS) identified by magnetic resonance angiography. Results: Among 2890 patients with SSSI in the perforator territory of the middle cerebral artery and the basilar artery, there were 680 (23.53%) patients with PAS and 2210 (76.47%) patients without PAS, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, the PAS group had a greater initial stroke severity (OR 1.262, 95% CI 1.058 to 1.505; p=0.0097) and a higher risk of ischaemic stroke recurrence at 3 months (OR 2.266, 95% CI 1.631 to 3.149; p<0.0001) and 1 year (OR 2.054, 95% CI 1.561 to 2.702; p<0.0001), as well as composite vascular events at 3 months (OR 2.306, 95% CI 1.674 to 3.178; p<0.0001) and 1 year (OR 1.983, 95% CI 1.530 to 2.570; p<0.0001), compared with the non-PAS group. In both groups, dual antiplatelet therapy was not superior to single antiplatelet therapy in preventing stroke recurrence, composite vascular events and disability. Conclusion: PAS related to significantly higher rates of short-term and long-term stroke recurrence and composite vascular events, suggesting heterogeneous mechanisms in SSSI subgroups. The effectiveness of antiplatelet therapy for SSSI needs further investigation.

Impact of Sleep Duration on Depression and Anxiety After Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Abnormal sleep duration predicts depression and anxiety. We seek to evaluate the impact of sleep duration before stroke on the occurrence of depression and anxiety at 3 months after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: Nationally representative samples from the Third China National Stroke Registry were used to examine cognition and sleep impairment after AIS (CNSR-III-ICONS). Based on baseline sleep duration before onset of stroke as measured by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), 1,446 patients were divided into four groups: >7, 6-7, 5-6, and <5 h of sleep. Patients were followed up with the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for 3 months. Poststroke anxiety (PSA) was defined as GAD-7 of ≥5 and poststroke depression (PSD) as PHQ-9 of ≥5. The association of sleep duration with PSA and PSD was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Results: The incidences of PSA and PSD were 11.2 and 17.6% at 3 months, respectively. Compared to a sleep duration of >7 h, 5-6 h, and <5 h of sleep were identified as risk factors of PSA [odds ratio (OR), 1.95; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24-3.07; P < 0.01 and OR, 3.41; 95% CI, 1.94-6.04; P < 0.01) and PSD (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.00-2.17; P = 0.04 and OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.85-5.02; P < 0.01), while 6-7 h of sleep was associated with neither PSA (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.71-1.67; P = 0.68) nor PSD (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.64-1.30; P = 0.64). In interaction analysis, the impact of sleep duration on PSA and PSD was not affected by gender (P = 0.68 and P = 0.29, respectively). Conclusions: Sleep duration of shorter than 6 h was predictive of anxiety and depression after ischemic stroke.

Insomnia is associated with increased mortality in patients with first-ever stroke: a 6-year follow-up in a Chinese cohort study.

Objective: Insomnia is a highly prevalent disorder among patients suffering from stroke. The association between insomnia and stroke mortality is less studied, particularly using the latest diagnostic criteria. The current study examined the relationship between insomnia and mortality among patients with first-evonal hazard models were used to calculate HRs for stroke er stroke in China. Methods: Patients with acute cerebrovascular diseases (stroke) were recruited from 56 hospitals in mainland China. Insomnia was defined as difficulty falling asleep, or difficulty staying asleep or waking up early, for at least two consecutive visits. Demographic data, medical history and clinical data were collected. Four follow-up visits occurred within the first year after stroke, and the last follow-up call was conducted 6 years later. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate HRs for stroke mortality. Results: Insomnia was reported by 38.4% (489/1273) of patients at baseline. During the 6 years of follow-up, after adjusting for all confounders, insomnia was found to be associated with increased mortality (HR=1.66, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.48). Old age (HR=1.08, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.10), stroke recurrence in the first year of follow-up (HR=2.53, 95% CI 1.48 to 4.31) and stroke survivors with hypertension (HR=1.62, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.53) had substantially higher risk of mortality. Conclusions: Besides old age, stroke recurrence in the first year of follow-up and hypertension, insomnia is associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with first-ever stroke in China. More studies about prompt and efficient interventions for insomnia are expected in the future. Trial registration number: rctn62169508.

Ideal cardiovascular health and incident hypertension: The longitudinal community-based Kailuan study.

Ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) has been defined by the American Heart Association as the absence of disease and presence of 7 key health factors. Since it is unknown whether cumulative exposure to CVH reduces the risk of developing arterial hypertension, we prospectively examined the potential association between cumulative CVH (cumCVH) score (except for blood pressure metrics) and incident hypertension.Of the 101,510 participants with an age range of 18 to 98 years in this longitudinal community-based Kailuan study, our cohort included those 15,014 participants without hypertension at baseline and who had follow-up examinations 2, 4, and 6 years later. CumCVH was calculated as the summed CVH score for each examination multiplied by the time between the 2 examinations (points × year). Based on the cumCVH score, the study population was stratified into groups of <44 points, 44 to 48 points, 49 to 54 points, 55 to 59 points, and ≥60 points.Incidence of hypertension ranged from 16.76% in the lowest cumCVH category to 11.52% in the highest cumCVH category. After adjusting for age, sex, education level, income level, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration, uric acid concentration, resting heart rate, parental history of hypertension at baseline, and medication usage before the third follow-up examination, participants in the highest cumCVH category had a significantly reduced risk of incident hypertension compared with those in the lowest cumCVH category (adjusted odds ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.50-0.71). For every increase in category based on the cumCVH score, the risk of hypertension decreased by approximately 2% (odds ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.97-0.98). The effect was consistent across sex and age groups.A higher cumCVH score is associated with a lower risk of incident hypertension.

Carotid Atherosclerosis, Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure, and Retinal Vessel Diameters: The Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities in Community Study.

PURPOSE: To assess relationships between carotid artery atherosclerosis and retinal arteriolar and venular diameters. METHODS: The community-based longitudinal Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community Study (APAC) included a sub-population of the Kailuan study which consisted of 101,510 employees and retirees of a coal mining industry. Based on the Chinese National Census 2010 and excluding individuals with history of cerebrovascular ischemic events, 4004 individuals were included into the APAC. All participants underwent a detailed clinical examination including blood laboratory tests and carotid artery duplex ultrasound examination. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) was estimated using the formula: CSFP[mmHg] = 0.44xBody Mass Index[kg/m2]+0.16xDiastolic Blood Pressure[mmHg]-0.18 x Age[Years]-1.91. RESULTS: In multivariable analysis (goodness of fit r2:0.12), thicker retinal arteries were associated with a thinner common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) (P = 0.002; standardized regression coefficient beta:-0.06; non-standardized regression coefficient B:-6.92;95% confidence interval (CI):-11.2,-2.61) after adjusting for thicker retinal nerve fiber layer (P<0.001;beta:0.18;B:0.35;95%CI:0.28,0.42), lower diastolic blood pressure (P<0.001;beta:-0.16;B:-0.17;95%CI:-0.21,-0.3), younger age (P<0.001;beta:-0.08; B:-0.16;95%;CI:-0.25,-0.08), and less abdominal circumference (P = 0.003;beta:-0.06;B:-0.11;95%CI:-0.18,-0.03). Thicker retinal vein diameter was associated (r = 0.40) with higher estimated CSFP (P<0.001;beta:0.09;B:0.78;95%CI:0.47,1.08) after adjusting for wider retinal arteries (P<0.001;beta:0.27;B:0.36;95%CI:0.31,0.41), thicker retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (P = 0.03;beta:0.22;B:0.56;95%CI:0.46,0.65) and male gender (P<0.001;beta:-0.08;B:-3.98;95%CI:-5.88,2.09). CONCLUSIONS: Thinner retinal artery diameter was significantly, however weakly, associated with increased common carotid artery IMT. It suggests that retinal microvascular changes were only week indicators for an atherosclerotic carotid artery pathology. Thicker retinal vein diameter was associated with higher estimated CSFP, confirming associations between higher estimated CSFP and higher incidence of retinal vein occlusion.

Validation of Type 2 Diabetes Risk Variants Identified by Genome-Wide Association Studies in Northern Han Chinese.

BACKGROUND: More than 60 genetic susceptibility loci associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been established in populations of Asian and European ancestry. Given ethnic differences and environmental factors, validation of the effects of genetic risk variants with reported associations identified by Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWASs) is essential. The study aims at evaluating the associations of T2DM with 29 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 19 candidate genes derived from GWASs in a northern Han Chinese population. METHOD: In this case-control study, 461 T2DM-diagnosed patients and 434 controls were recruited at the Jidong oil field hospital (Hebei, China) from January 2009 to October 2013. A cumulative genetic risk score (cGRS) was calculated by summation of the number of risk alleles, and a weight GRS (wGRS) was calculated as the sum of risk alleles at each locus multiplied by their effect sizes for T2DM, using the independent variants selected. RESULT: The allelic frequency of the "A" allele at rs17106184 (Fas-associated factor 1, FAF1) was significantly higher in the T2DM patients than that of the healthy controls (11.7% vs. 6.4%, p < 0.001). Individuals in the highestquartile of wGRS had an over three-fold increased risk for developing T2DM compared with those in the lowest quartile (odds ratio = 3.06, 95% CI = 1.92-4.88, p < 0.001) adjusted for age, sex, BMI, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The results were similar when analyzed with the cGRS. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the association between rs17106184 (FAF1) and T2DM in a northern Han Chinese population. The GRS calculated based on T2DM susceptibility variants may be a useful tool for predicting the T2DM susceptibility.

Recurrent stroke was associated with poor quality of life in patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke: finding from the CHANCE trial.

AIMS: To examine the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke and assess the impact of recurrent stroke on HRQOL. METHODS: Health-related quality of life data on patients participated in the Clopidogrel in High-risk patients with Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events (CHANCE) trial were analyzed. The available 90-day EuroQoL data (EQ-5D) were used to calculate EQ-5D index score. Poor HRQOL was defined as an EQ-5D index score ≤0.5. The characteristics of HRQOL and factors predicting poor HRQOL in these patients were then explored. RESULTS: Among the total 5170 patients enrolled, 90-day HRQOL data were obtained from 5104 patients for analysis. The mean EQ-5D index score at day 90 was 0.88 ± 0.21 for all patients, but only 0.42 ± 0.35 for those with recurrent strokes. Poor 90-day HRQOL was found in 294 (5.8%) patients. Patients with poor HRQOL had more strokes during follow-up than patients with good HRQOL (94.9 vs. 4.7%, P < 0.001). Age, history of hypertension and diabetes, and NIHSS at baseline were independent risk factors for predicting poor HRQOL. Stroke recurrence, NIHSS at baseline, age, and minor stroke on admission became independent risk factors once stroke recurrence was added into the model. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke recurrence was associated with poor HRQOL in patients with TIA or minor strokes. Interventions focusing on controlling risk factors and prevention of worsening of neurological function may prevent poor HRQOL in these patients.

Risk assessment of deep-vein thrombosis after acute stroke: a prospective study using clinical factors.

AIMS: Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) represents a serious complication in acute stroke patients with pulmonary embolus (PE) as a potential outcome. Prediction of DVT may help with formulating a proper prevention strategy. To assess of the risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in acute stroke patients, we developed and validated a clinical score in a cohort study. METHODS: Incidence of Deep Venous Thrombosis after Acute Stroke in China (INVENT-China) is a multicenter prospective cohort study. The potential predictive variables for DVT at baseline were collected, and the presence of DVT was evaluated using ultrasonography on the 14 ± 3 days. Data were randomly assigned to either a training data set or a test data set. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop risk scores to predict DVT in the training data set and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to validate the score in the test data set. RESULTS: From 2006-2007, 862 hospital-based acute stroke patients were enrolled in China. The overall incidence of DVT after acute stroke within two weeks was 12.4% (95%CI 10.3-14.7%). A seven-point score derived in the training data set (age [≥65 years = 1], sex [female gender = 1]), obesity [BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) = 1], active cancer [yes = 2], stroke subtype [cerebral hemorraghe = 1], muscle weakness [≥2 on Lower limb NIHSS score = 1] was highly predictive of 14-day risk of DVT(c statistic = 0.70, 95% CI, 0.64-0.76, P < 0.001), in the overall study population(c statistic = 0.65, 95% CI 0.59-0.70, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This clinical score may help identify acute stroke patients with high risk of DVT. In addition, it also serves as a platform to develop further models of DVT prediction in stroke patients based on clinical factors.

[The impact of in-hospital pneumonia on the risk of in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the short-term and long-term impacts of in-hospital pneumonia on outcomes of patients hospitalized with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: All consecutive patients older than 18 years with acute ischemic stroke were prospectively recruited to this study, including 132 clinical centers in 32 provinces and 4 municipalities (including Hong Kong region) in China from September 2007 to August 2008. Case report form was designed. Data of pneumonia and survival outcomes at baseline; discharge; 3, 6 and 12 months after admission were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression was used for statistical correlation analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1373 (11.88%) patients from 11 560 acute ischemic stroke patients were notified with in-hospital pneumonia. The case fatality rate was 14.4% (1664 patients) within 12 months after stroke onset. The fatality rate in patients with pneumonia was higher than that of patients without pneumonia.In-hospital pneumonia was an independent risk factor for death at discharge (adjusted OR = 5.916; 95%CI 4.470-7.831), at 3 months (adjusted OR = 3.641; 95%CI 3.035-4.367), 6 months (adjusted OR = 3.445; 95%CI 2.905-4.086), and 12 months (adjusted OR = 3.543; 95%CI 3.016-4.161) after onset. CONCLUSION: In-hospital pneumonia is an adverse factor for the short-term and long-term survival of acute ischemic patients in China.

In-hospital medical complications associated with patient dependency after acute ischemic stroke: data from the China National Stroke Registry.

BACKGROUND: The mortality of stroke patients is strongly affected by medical complications. However, there are limited data investigating the effect of in-hospital medical complications on the dependency of stroke patients worldwide. We prospectively and systematically investigated the effect of medical complications on dependency of patients at 3, 6 and 12 months after stroke using the China National Stroke Registry (CNSR). METHODS: This prospective cohort study collected data of patients age > 18 years with acute ischemic stroke in 132 clinical centers distributed across 32 provinces and four municipalities (including Hong Kong region) of China, from September 2007 to August 2008. Data on medical complications, dependency and other information were obtained from paper-based registry forms. Medical complications associated with stroke outcomes were assessed using multivariable Logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 11 560 patients with acute ischemic stroke, 1826 (15.80%) presented with in-hospital medical complications. In-hospital medical complications were independent risk factors for dependency of patients at 3 months (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.367, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.021 - 2.771), 6 months (adjusted OR 2.257, 95%CI 1.922 - 2.650), and 12 months (adjusted OR 1.820, 95%CI 1.538 - 2.154) after acute ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that the short-term and long-term dependency of acute ischemic stroke patients is significantly associated with in-hospital medical complications in China.

Clinical characteristics, management, and functional outcomes in Chinese patients within the first year after intracerebral hemorrhage: analysis from China National Stroke Registry.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to understand the association between clinical characteristics, medical management, and functional outcomes in Chinese patients with nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: The China National Stroke Registry (CNSR) was a prospective cohort study that included 132 Chinese hospitals. Logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors associated with poor outcomes at 3, 6, and 12 months, post-ICH onset. RESULTS: Three thousand two hundred fifty five ICH patients with follow-up information up to 1 year post-ICH were included in this study. 49.1%, 47.1%, and 46.0% of ICH patients had poor outcomes at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Age, admission systolic blood pressure, admission Glasgow Coma Score, hematoma volume, withdrawal of support, and complication of gastrointestinal hemorrhage were associated with poor outcomes at 3 and 12 months. Stroke unit care was associated with good outcome at 3 months. Intensive care unit (ICU)/Neurology ICU care was associated with poor outcome at 3 months. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of long-term functional outcomes in ICH patients from mainland China. Our study elucidates the risk factors that may influence functional outcomes post-ICH and therefore facilitate the development of management strategies to improve ICH care in China.

Age differences in clinical characteristics, health care, and outcomes after ischemic stroke in China.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little information is available on the effects of age on health care and outcomes of ischemic stroke (IS) in China. Our aim was to evaluated risk factors, health care, and outcomes among age groups including ≤ 45, 46-65, 66-79, and ≥ 80 years and to find whether the outcome was affected by age and health care. METHODS: CNSR is a nationwide prospective registry for patients admitted with acute stroke and prospectively followed up 12-month outcomes. Demographics, socioeconomics, risk factors, health care, and outcomes were analyzed among age groups, and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association of outcome and age and health care. RESULTS: We identified 12,415 acute IS patients for analysis. Of 1179 (9.50%) were aged ≥ 80 years. In terms of risk factors, cardiac diseases were significantly more frequent in patients ≥ 80 years, behavioral risk factors were more common in younger patients, and hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes were more seen in 46-79 patients. The use of health care varied among groups and was significantly lower in ≥ 80 years especially in secondary prevention. The very old patients had the worst outcomes even after adjusting by prognostic factors; however, adjusting forward by health care, the extent of differences decreased. CONCLUSIONS: In CNSR, differences in stroke clinic characteristics and health care were observed among various age groups, and the old patients, receiving lower levels of stroke care, had the worst outcomes. Knowledge of the age differences in ischemic stroke may be helpful to appropriately allocate the limited health resources and to improve stroke outcomes.

Effect of in-hospital medical complications on case fatality post-acute ischemic stroke: data from the China National Stroke Registry.

BACKGROUND: In-hospital medical complications are associated with poorer clinical outcomes for stroke patients after disease onset. However, few studies from China have reported the effect of these complications on the mortality of patients with acute ischemic stroke. In this prospective work, the China National Stroke Registry Study, we investigated the effect of medical complications on the case fatality of patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: From September 2007 to August 2008, we prospectively obtained the data of patients with acute stroke from 132 clinical centers in China. Medical complications, case fatality and other information recorded at baseline, during hospitalisation, and at 3, 6, and 12 months after stroke onset. Multivariable Logistic regression was performed to analyze the effect of medical complications on the case fatality of patients with acute ischemic stroke. RESULTS: There were 39 741 patients screened, 14 526 patients with acute ischemic stroke recruited, and 11 560 ischemic stroke patients without missing data identified during the 12-month follow-up. Of the 11 560 ischemic patients, 15.8% (1826) had in-hospital medical complications. The most common complication was pneumonia (1373; 11.9% of patients), followed by urinary tract infection and gastrointestinal bleeding. In comparison with patients without complications, stroke patients with complications had a significantly higher risk of death during their hospitalization, and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-stroke. Having any one in-hospital medical complication was an independent risk factor for death in patients with acute ischemic stroke during hospital period (adjusted OR = 6.946; 95%CI 5.181 to 9.314), at 3 months (adjusted OR = 3.843; 95%CI 3.221 to 4.584), 6 months (adjusted OR = 3.492; 95%CI 2.970 to 4.106), and 12 months (adjusted OR = 3.511; 95%CI 3.021 to 4.080). Having multiple complications strongly increased the death risk of patients. CONCLUSION: Short-term and long-term outcomes of acute stroke patients are affected by in-hospital medical complications.