Strength of association of classical vascular risk factors in young patients with ischaemic stroke: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have reported an increasing incidence of ischaemic stroke among young adults. However, the strength of the association between traditional vascular risk factors has not been fully established. METHODS: We compared 120 patients with a first ischaemic stroke before the age of 55 years admitted to the stroke unit of our centre with 600 healthy non-stroke controls from a population-based cohort study (HERMEX), matched for sex. Risk factors assessed included: hypertension, obesity, auricular fibrillation, current smoking, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and diabetes mellitus. We used logistic regression analysis and calculated population attributable risk. We performed an overall analysis, by sex and aetiological subgroup. RESULTS: Using logistic regression analysis, we found that overall, the significant risk factors were: hypertension (OR: 1.58; 95%CI: 1.01-2.50), atrial fibrillation (OR: 4.77; 95%CI: 1.20-19.00), low eGFR (OR: 4.74; 95%CI: 1.3-21.94) and low HDL-C (OR: 5.20; 95%CI: 3.29-8.21), as well as smoking for males (OR: 1.86; 95%CI: 1.14-3.03). LDL-C showed an inverse association with stroke. The population attributable risk for HDL-C was 37.8% and for hypertension 21.1%. In terms of aetiological subgroups, only low HDL-C was associated with stroke of undetermined aetiology. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension, auricular fibrillation, low eGFR, and low HDL-C, plus tobacco use in men, are the main risk factors among patients under 55 years of age with a first ischaemic stroke. We believe that it would be of particular interest to further explore the management of low HDL-C levels as part of preventive strategies in young stroke patients.

Impacto del nivel socioeconómico en el conocimiento del ictus de la población general: un gradiente de desigualdad social / Effect of socioeconomic level on knowledge of stroke in the general population: A social inequality gradient

Objetivos: El nivel socioeconómico es un factor que condiciona el comportamiento individual ante la salud y las condiciones de salud de la población. Se evalúa la asociación entre factores socio-demográficos y el conocimiento del ictus en la población general. Método: Estudio transversal. Los sujetos fueron seleccionados por un sistema de asignación al azar doble. Se administró un cuestionario estructurado con preguntas abiertas y cerradas mediante entrevistas cara a cara. El «conocimiento adecuado» fue definido previamente. Se utilizaron el test de Mantel-Haenszel y la regresión logística con modelos ajustados para evaluar la asociación entre el conocimiento del ictus y las variables estudiadas. Resultados: Entrevistas, 2.411; 59,9% mujeres; edad media ± desviación estándar, 49,0 ± 17,3 años. El 74% residente en área urbana. Un 24,7% tenía estudios universitarios, el 15,2% un nivel de escolarización bajo. Solo el 2,1% declaraba ganar mas de 40.000 euros/año y un 29,9% menos de 10.000. Casi el 74% declaró tener un excelente o buen nivel de salud. El desempleo fue del 17,0%. La prevalencia de «conocimiento adecuado» fue del 39,7%(IC del 95%, 37,7%-41,6%). El análisis de tendencias mostró una asociación entre conocimiento y nivel económico (z = 10,14; p < 0,0001); nivel de estudios (z = 15,95; p < 0,0001), estado de salud (z = 7,92; p < 0,0001) y situación laboral (z = 8,98; p < 0,0001). Conclusiones: El nivel de estudios y renta, disponer de trabajo y gozar de salud son factores independientes de un «conocimiento adecuado» del ictus. Las campañas educativas deberían realizarse con un lenguaje sencillo y dirigirse con especial interés a las clases sociales mas desfavorecidas

Objectives: Socioeconomic status is a factor that influences health-related behaviour in individuals as well as health conditions in entire populations. The objective of the present study was to analyse the sociodemographic factors that may influence knowledge of stroke. Method: Cross-sectional study. A representative sample was selected by double randomisation. Face-to-face interviews were carried out by previously trained medical students using a structured questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions. Adequate knowledge was previously defined. The Mantel-Haenszel test and adjusted logistic regression analysis were used to assess the association between knowledge of stroke and the study variables. Results: 2411 subjects were interviewed (59.9% women; mean age 49.0 [SD 17.3] years) Seventy-three per cent were residents of urban areas, 24.7% had a university education, and 15.2% had a low level of schooling. Only 2.1% reported earning more than 40 000 euros/year, with 29.9% earning less than 10 000. Nearly 74% reported having an excellent or good state of health. The unemployment rate was 17.0%. Prevalence of 'adequate knowledge' was 39.7% (95% CI: 37.7%-41.6%). Trend analysis showed an association between knowledge of stroke and income (z = 10.14, P < 0.0001); educational level (z = 15.95, P < 0.0001); state of health (z = 7.92, P < 0.0001); and employment status (z = 8.98,P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Educational level, income, employment status, and state of health are independent factors for adequate knowledge of stroke. Public awareness campaigns should present material using simple language and efforts should be directed toward the most disadvantaged social strata in particular

Effect of socioeconomic level on knowledge of stroke in the general population: A social inequality gradient.

OBJECTIVES: Socioeconomic status is a factor that influences health-related behaviour in individuals as well as health conditions in entire populations. The objective of the present study was to analyse the sociodemographic factors that may influence knowledge of stroke. METHOD: Cross-sectional study. A representative sample was selected by double randomisation. Face-to-face interviews were carried out by previously trained medical students using a structured questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions. Adequate knowledge was previously defined. The Mantel-Haenszel test and adjusted logistic regression analysis were used to assess the association between knowledge of stroke and the study variables. RESULTS: 2411 subjects were interviewed (59.9% women; mean age 49.0 [SD 17.3] years) Seventy-three per cent were residents of urban areas, 24.7% had a university education, and 15.2% had a low level of schooling. Only 2.1% reported earning more than 40 000 euros/year, with 29.9% earning less than 10 000. Nearly 74% reported having an excellent or good state of health. The unemployment rate was 17.0%. Prevalence of "adequate knowledge" was 39.7% (95% CI: 37.7%-41.6%). Trend analysis showed an association between knowledge of stroke and income (z=10.14, P<0.0001); educational level (z=15.95, P<0.0001); state of health (z=7.92, P<0.0001); and employment status (z=8.98, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Educational level, income, employment status, and state of health are independent factors for adequate knowledge of stroke. Public awareness campaigns should present material using simple language and efforts should be directed toward the most disadvantaged social strata in particular.

Acerca de las interconsultas a los neurólogos formuladas desde urgencias. Respuesta del autor / Regarding emergency department consultations with neurologists. Author's reply

No disponible

Evolución temporal de las interconsultas hospitalarias dirigidas a Neurología en un hospital terciario. Una actividad asistencial en crecimiento / Longitudinal Study of In-Hospital Consultations with Neurology in a Tertiary Hospital. A health care activity on the increase

Objetivo: Las interconsultas hospitalarias (ICh) constituyen un servicio que se ofrece de unas especialidades médicas a otras con la función de ayudar a resolver las complicaciones de los pacientes ingresados en las distintas unidades del hospital. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar descriptivamente y con carácter temporal las ICh recibidas en nuestro servicio durante el último quinquenio. Método: Estudio retrospectivo de las ICh realizadas. Periodo: 2005-2009. Los datos analizados son: servicio de origen de la interconsulta, motivo de consulta, fecha, prioridad en la atención, diagnóstico definitivo, necesidad de seguimiento, necesidad de traslado y datos demográficos de los pacientes. Resultados: n=1458 ICh. Edad media 58,2±19,10. Varones: 837 (57,6%). Por año el número de ICh fue: 2005: 263; 2006: 226; 2007: 239; 2007: 239, 2008: 329 y 2009: 401. El 86,8% tenían prioridad normal, 8,5% preferente y 4,7% urgentes. Urgencias (12%), Cardiología (10,9%), Medicina Interna (9,8%) y Psiquiatría (8,9%) fueron los servicios con mayor demanda. Los motivos de consulta más frecuente fueron: pérdidas de conciencia y crisis epilépticas (24,6%), patología vascular cerebral (21,1%) y cuadros confusionales y deterioro cognitivo (13,4%). El 36,8% se resolvieron en la primera consulta y el resto (63,8%) precisaron de seguimiento. Precisaron traslado a Neurología el 8,4% de los casos valorados. Conclusiones: La ICh es una actividad compleja que no se resuelve en una única visita. Provoca una carga asistencial que crece cada año. La creciente complejidad diagnóstica de la neurología y los tratamientos cada vez más específicos son los factores que condicionan este aumento de la demanda(AU)

Objective: In-hospital consultation (IHC) is a service that some medical specialties provide to others with the aim of resolving complications in patients admitted to different hospital units. The aim of this study is to perform a descriptive analysis and longitudinal study of IHCs received in our department during the last 5 years. Method: A retrospective study was conducted on the IHCs made within the period 2005-2009. The data analysed were as follows: department of origin of the IHC, reason for consult, date, priority of care, definitive diagnosis, need for follow-up, need for transfer, and the demographic data of the patients. Results: There were a total of 1458 IHCs in the period studied. The mean age of the patients was 58.2±19.10 years, and 837 (57.6%) were males. The number of IHCs per year was: 2005: 263; 2006: 226; 2007: 239; 2007: 239, 2008: 329 and 2009: 401. The majority (86.8%) had normal priority, 8.5% high priority, and 4.7% were urgent. The Emergency Department (12%), Cardiology (10.9%), General Medicine (9.8%) and Psychiatry (8.9%) were the services with the highest demand. The most frequent reasons for consulting were loss of consciousness and epileptic seizures (24.6%), cerebral vascular disease (21.1%), and confusional states and cognitive impairment (13.4%). Over one third (36.8%) were resolved in the first consultation, and the remainder (63.8%) required follow up. Of all the cases assessed, 8.4% required transfer to Neurology. Conclusions: IHC is a complex activity that may not resolve all questions in a single visit. It involves a health care burden which is increasing annually. The increasing diagnostic complexity of the neurology, as well as the increasingly more specific treatments are the factors that lead to this higher demand(AU)

Longitudinal study of in-hospital consultations with neurology in a tertiary hospital. A health care activity on the increase.

OBJECTIVE: In-hospital consultation (IHC) is a service that some medical specialties provide to others with the aim of resolving complications in patients admitted to different hospital units. The aim of this study is to perform a descriptive analysis and longitudinal study of IHCs received in our department during the last 5 years. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted on the IHCs made within the period 2005-2009. The data analysed were as follows: department of origin of the IHC, reason for consult, date, priority of care, definitive diagnosis, need for follow-up, need for transfer, and the demographic data of the patients. RESULTS: There were a total of 1458 IHCs in the period studied. The mean age of the patients was 58.2 ± 19.10 years, and 837 (57.6%) were males. The number of IHCs per year was: 2005: 263; 2006: 226; 2007: 239; 2007: 239, 2008: 329 and 2009: 401. The majority (86.8%) had normal priority, 8.5% high priority, and 4.7% were urgent. The Emergency Department (12%), Cardiology (10.9%), General Medicine (9.8%) and Psychiatry (8.9%) were the services with the highest demand. The most frequent reasons for consulting were loss of consciousness and epileptic seizures (24.6%), cerebral vascular disease (21.1%), and confusional states and cognitive impairment (13.4%). Over one third (36.8%) were resolved in the first consultation, and the remainder (63.8%) required follow up. Of all the cases assessed, 8.4% required transfer to Neurology. CONCLUSIONS: IHC is a complex activity that may not resolve all questions in a single visit. It involves a health care burden which is increasing annually. The increasing diagnostic complexity of the neurology, as well as the increasingly more specific treatments are the factors that lead to this higher demand.