Abstract 12: Association Between Socioeconomic Deprivation, Stroke Incidence and Long-Term Outcome: 10-year Follow-Up From a Population-Based Cohort Study of All Strokes in Oxfordshire, UK

Abstract

Background: Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with an increased risk of stroke. However, there is scant evidence on its impact on long-term stroke outcomes. We investigate its long-term impact on stroke incidence, mortality, functional outcome, quality-of-life and life-expectancy. Methods: In a prospective population-based cohort, deprivation (based on residential postcode and stratified into quartiles using the national cut-points for England) was related to incident stroke, 10-year mortality, disability (modified Rankin Scale>2), institutionalisation in long-term care facilities, quality of life (Euroqol-5Dimensions), and life expectancy (including disability-free and quality-adjusted) after first-ever stroke. Cox, logistic and ordinary least squares regression were used to adjust for age, sex, urban-rural mix, previous comorbidity/disability, risk factors, stroke severity and type. Findings: Out of a population of 94,567 people (~1.5 million people years), 2,429 had a first-ever stroke. Higher deprivation was associated with stroke risk in those aged 55 to 74. Compared to the most affluent (quartile 1), stroke risk was higher in those living in quartile 2 (incidence rate ratio: 1.28, p=0.0019), quartile 3 (1.37, p=0.005) and quartile 4 (1.81, p=0.001). Mean follow-up after stroke was 5.2 (S.D. 4.0) years. After multivariable adjustment, increasing deprivation was associated with mortality (p=0.046), disability (p=0.013) and reduced quality of life (p=0.028), but not with institutionalisation (p=0.23). 10-year quality-adjusted life-expectancy was 4.85 (95%CI: 4.67 to 4.04 years) in stroke patients in quartile 1, with life expectancy reducing by 0.46 (-0.75 to -0.16) in quartile 2, 1.10 (-1.58 to -0.67) in quartile 3 and 1.25 (-2.06 to -0.48) years in quartile 4. Interpretation: We show that incidence of stroke, as well as 10-year health outcomes, are worsened with increasing deprivation. Consequently there remains considerable scope for improvements in at risk deprived communities.