Abstract 152: Alarmingly Higher Risk Of Stroke Hospitalizations With Reduced Inpatient Mortality In Young Females (18-44 Years) And Associated Racial Disparities: A Nationwide Analysis 10-years Apart

Abstract

Background: Underrepresentation of females in clinical trials and paucity of data on young-onset stroke incited us to review two national cohorts a decade apart to assess the frequency and odds of stroke admissions and inpatient mortality and associated racial disparities in young females. Methods: We queried weighted data from the National Inpatient Sample (2017 & 2007) to identify stroke admissions in young females (18-44 years). Stroke admissions and mortality rates among young females were compared between different race groups for 2017 vs. 2007. Multivariable regression was performed to determine the difference in risk of stroke admissions and inpatient mortality with associated racial distinctions between 2017 & 2007. Results: Young women's stroke admissions from 2017 and 2007 increased from 0.3% (n=20009/7,746,732) in 2007 to 0.5% (n=28885/6,268,570) in 2017 (p<0.001). Adjusted analysis for covariates showed nearly 50% increased risk of stroke admissions in young women in 2017 vs 2007 (aOR:1.48; 95%CI:1.44-1.51, p<0.001). Comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, vascular disease, obesity, smoking, atrial fibrillation were more prevalent in 2017 vs 2007 (p<0.001). Notwithstanding the increased admissions, inpatient mortality risk decreased by 35% in 2017 (aOR:0.65; 95%CI:0.60-0.71, p<0.001). Assessing racial disparities in young women, we found that white and Native Americans demonstrated the highest increase in stroke admissions, whereas Hispanic and Asian-Pacific Islanders did not show an improvement in survival odds in 2017 vs. 2007 [Figure 1] . Conclusion: The risk of stroke admissions among young women increased nearly 50% in 2017 vs. 2007 with all races showing a rise in hospitalizations. Reassuringly, advanced therapeutics helped with the overall reduction of inpatient mortality; however, persistent racial disparities in survival odds warrant a more inclusive approach for primary preventive strides and healthcare delivery.