The comparability of community outcomes for european and non-european survivors of stroke in New Zealand

McNaughton, H., Weatherall, M., McPherson, K., Taylor, W. and Harwood, M. (2002) The comparability of community outcomes for european and non-european survivors of stroke in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 115 (1149), 98 - 100.

Abstract

AIMS: To measure community outcomes for stroke comparing European and non-European survivors.
METHODS: This was a prospective, hospital-based study of consecutive patients admitted to three general hospitals in Wellington with acute stroke. Patients were assessed using a range of instruments for prestroke function, function while in hospital, and then followed for twelve months post-hospital discharge. Ethnicity was decided by self-report and Maori, Pacific people and Asians were grouped together as "non-Europeans" for analysis.
RESULTS: 181 people with stroke were enrolled of whom 171 (94.5%) were followed up to death or twelve months post hospital discharge. 33 (18%) were non-European with 13 (7%) Maori, 14 (8%) Pacific people and 6 (3%) Asians. Non-European survivors at twelve months post hospital discharge were more likely to be dependent (corrected OR 21.0, 95% CI 3.1, 141), have significantly lower Functional Independence Measure scores, lower London Handicap Scores and lower scores on the Short Form 36 domains of physical functioning and vitality and Physical Component Summary score.
CONCLUSIONS: Community outcomes for survivors of stroke may be worse for non-Europeans although this should be confirmed in a larger study.

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