Analysis on geographic variations in hospital deaths and endovascular therapy in ischaemic stroke patients: an observational cross-sectional study in China

BMJ Open. 2019 Jun 24;9(6):e029079. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029079.

Abstract

Objectives: Stroke is the leading cause of death and adult disability in China, following a rise in incidence over the last few decades. We aimed to explore the geographic variations in hospital mortality and endovascular therapy (EVT) use among ischaemic stroke (IS) patients in China, and investigate the associated potential risk factors.

Design: Observational cross-sectional study of patients hospitalised for stroke.

Setting: Hospital discharge data for 1267 tertiary hospitals between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015 were derived from the Nationwide Hospital Discharge Database operated by the National Health Commission of China.

Participants: 1 826 332 patients aged ≥18 years, hospitalised following stroke.

Outcome measures: In-hospital mortality and EVT use.

Results: The nationwide hospital mortality rate of IS patients was 0.88% (95% CI 0.86% to 0.90%); there was a significantly greater risk of mortality in the Northeast (OR 2.37; 95% CI 2.23 to 2.52), West (1.65; 1.54 to 1.78), South (1.25; 1.17 to 1.33) and North (1.29; 1.20 to 1.39) than in the East. Tertiary B hospitals (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.09), patients admitted from emergency departments and older patients were associated with higher hospital mortality. The national EVT use rate was 0.45% (95% CI 0.44% to 0.46%). Compared with in East China, EVT use was significantly lower in the Northeast (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.24) and West (0.64; 0.58 to 0.71), though not the North (1.23; 1.14 to 1.33). Tertiary A hospitals (OR 2.62; 95% CI 2.43 to 2.83), male patients and patients admitted from emergency departments were also associated with higher EVT use rates.

Conclusions: There were substantial disparities in mortality and EVT use for hospitalised patients with IS among China's tertiary hospitals, linked with both geographic and hospital characteristics. More targeted intervention at regional and hospital levels is needed for providing effective health technologies and eventually improving post-stroke outcomes.

Keywords: endovascular therapy; geographical variations; hospital mortality; stroke.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain Ischemia / complications*
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Endovascular Procedures* / methods
  • Endovascular Procedures* / mortality
  • Female
  • Hospital Mortality*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Stroke* / etiology
  • Stroke* / mortality
  • Stroke* / therapy
  • Tertiary Care Centers / statistics & numerical data
  • Thrombectomy* / methods
  • Thrombectomy* / mortality
  • Thrombolytic Therapy* / methods
  • Thrombolytic Therapy* / mortality