Abstract 3225: Gross Domestic Product and Health Expenditure Associated with Incidence, 30-Day Fatality and Age at Stroke Onset: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Differences in definitions of socioeconomic status (SES) and between study designs hinder their comparability across countries. We aimed to analyze the correlation of three widely used macro-SES indicators with stroke incidence and age at stroke onset. Methods: We selected population-based studies reporting incident stroke risk and/or 30-day case fatality according to pre-specified criteria. We used three macro-SES indicators that are consistently defined by international agencies: per capita gross domestic product adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP-aGDP), total health expenditures per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP-aTHE) and unemployment rate. We used two-tailed Spearman’s test and scatter-plots for analyzing the correlation of each macro-SES indicator with incident risk of stroke, 30-day case fatality rates, proportion of hemorrhagic strokes and age at stroke onset. Results: Twenty-three manuscripts comprising 30 population-based studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Age-adjusted incident risk of stroke using standardized World Health Organization World population, 30-day case fatality rates, proportion of hemorrhagic strokes and age at stroke onset were associated to lower PPP-aGDP and PPP-aTHE ( Table 1 and Figures 2 and 3). There was no correlation between unemployment rates and outcome measures. Table 1. Correlation Analyses of Macro-Indicators of Socioeconomic Status Figures 1. Scatter Plots for PPP-aGDP Figures 2. Scatter Plots for PPP-aTHE Conclusions: Lower PPP-aGDP and PPP-aTHE were associated with higher incident risk of stroke, higher case fatality, greater proportion of hemorrhagic strokes and lower age at stroke onset. As a result, these macro-SES indicators may be used as proxy measures of quality of primary prevention and acute care and considered as important factors for developing strategies aimed at improving worldwide stroke care.