Hospital-based stroke register studies and clinical features and outcomes of stroke patients in China and other Asian countries: A systematic review

Abstract

Hospital-based stroke registration is an international research hotspot in recent years. This study aims to compare the current status and quality of hospital-based stroke registers in China and other Asian countries, and to analyze the clinical features and prognosis of stroke patients in these registries. Data were identified by electronic searches of electronic databases from January 2000 to November 2016. References were hand searched. We included the hospital-based stroke registry consecutively conducted in China and other Asian countries and analyzed these data prospectively. 80 articles from 32 stroke registries were included, sample size ranging from 1070 to 46108. The 32 registries covered five Asian countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. Stroke classification and subtype (according to TOAST classification) are shown below. Thrombolysis rates was reported in only 5 registries in China, ranging from 0.9% to 19.3%,which were from 1.9% to 63.9% in 8 registries from other Asian countries. Case fatality rates were reported in 10 Chinese registries, 1-year death ranging from 1.58% to 26.1%,which were ranging from 3% to 26.3% in 10 registries from other Asian countries. In terms of thrombolysis, Chinese patients are less active, but there is not much difference in mortality in one year. However, due to the limitations of the research methods, data on the clinical characteristics of stroke patients is not reliable in making any conclusive decisions. This study calls for a set of quality criteria to assess stroke registration studies and to confirm their validity and feasibility.