Time interval between first ever and recurrent stroke in a population hospitalized for second stroke: A retrospective study

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The survivors of first-ever stroke are at a high risk of recurrent stroke. The time interval between first-ever stroke and first recurrence of stroke, however, have not been well studied. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the time interval between first-ever and first recurrence of stroke and the risk factors of stroke that were related to the length of time interval. Methods: Patients admitted in our hospitals during 2014 with first recurrence of stroke were included in the study. A total of 377 patients were enrolled and a standardized questionnaire was used to collect data in this retrospective study. Results: The mean time interval among all the subjects was 58.42 months (median, 36.01 months; range 0.16months to 455.98months). The mean time interval was shorter in hemorrhagic stroke group (56.78 months) than in ischemic stroke group (58.75 months), but the difference was not significant (p=0.819). The median of time interval was similar in the two groups. The associated risk factors to the length of time interval were age over 60 years, subtype of first-ever stroke, the length of history of hypertension. Age was the only associated risk factor to the time interval among patients with first recurrence of hemorrhagic stroke. Conclusion: Factors associated with the time interval are different among different types of recurrent stroke. This provides the basis for preventive treatment for recurrent stroke after their first-ever stroke