Browsing by Author "Thompson SG"

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    Geographic Disparities in Stroke Outcomes and Service Access: A Prospective Observational Study
    (Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc on behalf of the American Academy of Neurology, 26/07/2022) Thompson SG; Barber PA; Gommans JH; Cadilhac DA; Davis A; Fink JN; Harwood M; Levack W; McNaughton HK; Feigin VL; Abernethy V; Girvan J; Kim J; Denison H; Corbin M; Wilson A; Douwes J; Ranta A
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: International evidence shows that patients treated at non-urban hospitals experience poorer access to key stroke interventions. Evidence whether this results in poorer outcomes is conflicting and generally based on administrative or voluntary registry data. The aim of this study was to use prospective high-quality comprehensive nationwide patient level data to investigate the association between hospital geography and stroke patient outcomes and access to best practice stroke care in New Zealand. METHODS: This is a prospective, multi-centre, nationally representative observational study involving all 28 New Zealand acute stroke hospitals (18 non-urban), and affiliated rehabilitation and community services. Consecutive adults admitted to the hospital with acute stroke between 1 May and 31 October 2018 were captured. Outcomes included functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) shift analysis), functional independence (mRS scores 0-2), quality of life (EQ5D-3L), stroke/vascular events, and death at 3, 6, and 12 months and proportion accessing thrombolysis, thrombectomy, stroke units, key investigations, secondary prevention, and inpatient/community rehabilitation. Results were adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, stroke severity/type, co-morbidities, baseline function, and differences in baseline characteristics. RESULTS: Overall, 2,379 patients were eligible (mean (standard deviation) age 75 (13.7); 51.2% male; 1,430 urban; 949 non-urban). Patients treated at non-urban hospitals were more likely to score in a higher mRS category (greater disability) at three (aOR=1.28, 1.07-1.53), six (aOR=1.33, 1.07-1.65) and twelve months (aOR=1.31, 1.06-1.62) and were more likely to have died (aOR=1.57, 1.17-2.12) or experienced recurrent stroke and vascular events at 12 months (aOR=1.94, 1.14-3.29 and aOR=1.65, 1.09-2.52). Fewer non-urban patients received recommended stroke interventions including endovascular thrombectomy (aOR=0.25, 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.49), acute stroke unit care (aOR=0.60, 0.49-0.73), antiplatelet prescriptions (aOR=0.72, 0.58-0.88), ≥60 minutes daily physical therapy (aOR=0.55, 0.40-0.77) and community rehabilitation (aOR=0.69, 0.56-0.84). DISCUSSION: Patients managed at non-urban hospitals experience poorer stroke outcomes and reduced access to key stroke interventions across the entire care continuum. Efforts to improve access to high quality stroke care in non-urban hospitals should be a priority.
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    The impact of ethnicity on stroke care access and patient outcomes: a New Zealand nationwide observational study
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2022-03) Thompson SG; Barber PA; Gommans JH; Cadilhac DA; Davis A; Fink JN; Harwood M; Levack W; McNaughton H; Feigin VL; Abernethy V; Girvan J; Denison H; Corbin M; Wilson A; Douwes J; Ranta A
    BACKGROUND: Ethnic inequities in stroke care access have been reported internationally but the impact on outcomes remains unclear. In New Zealand, data on ethnic stroke inequities and resultant effects on outcomes are generally limited and conflicting. METHODS: In a prospective, nationwide, multi-centre observational study, we recruited consecutive adult patients with confirmed stroke from 28 hospitals between 1 May and 31 October 2018. Patient outcomes: favourable functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 0-2); quality of life (EQ-5D-3L); stroke/vascular events; and death at three, six and 12 months. Process measures: access to reperfusion therapies, stroke-units, investigations, secondary prevention, rehabilitation. Multivariate regression analyses assessed associations between ethnicity and outcomes and process measures. FINDINGS: The cohort comprised 2,379 patients (median age 78 (IQR 66-85); 51·2% male; 76·7% European, 11·5% Māori, 4·8% Pacific peoples, 4·8% Asian). Non-Europeans were younger, had more risk factors, had reduced access to acute stroke units (aOR=0·78, 95%CI, 0·60-0·97), and were less likely to receive a swallow screen within 24 hours of arrival (aOR=0·72, 0·53-0·99) or MRI imaging (OR=0·66, 0·52-0·85). Māori were less frequently prescribed anticoagulants (OR=0·68, 0·47-0·98). Pacific peoples received greater risk factor counselling. Fewer non-Europeans had a favourable mRS score at three (aOR=0·67, 0·47-0·96), six (aOR=0·63, 0·40-0·98) and 12 months (aOR=0·56, 0·36-0·88), and more Māori had died by 12 months (aOR=1·76, 1·07-2·89). INTERPRETATION: Non-Europeans, especially Māori, had poorer access to key stroke interventions and experience poorer outcomes. Further optimisation of stroke care targeting high-priority populations are needed to achieve equity. FUNDING: New Zealand Health Research Council (HRC17/037).