P279 IMPACT OF COVID–19 DIAGNOSIS ON HOSPITALIZATION AND MORTALITY RATES IN PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC STROKE ADMITTED DURING THE 2020 PANDEMIC IN ITALY

Abstract

Abstract Background and purpose. We sought to evaluate the impact of the Covid–19 infection on hospitalization and mortality rates in patients with ischemic stroke admitted during the 2020 pandemic in Italy. Methods We analysed a nationwide, comprehensive, and universal administrative database of consecutive patients admitted for ischemic stroke during and after the national lockdown for Covid–19 infection in 2020 and the equivalent periods of the previous 5 years in Italy. The 2020 observed rates of hospitalizations and mortality of stroke patients with and without Covid–19 infection were compared with the expected rates, according to the trend of the previous 5 years. Results During the period of observation, 300,890 hospitalizations for ischemic stroke occurred in Italy. In 2020, 41,302 stroke patients (1102 with concomitant Covid–19 infection) were admitted at 771 centers. The rate of admissions for ischemic stroke during the 2020 pandemic was markedly reduced compared to the previous years (percentage change –23.5). Based on the 5–year trend, the 2020 expected rate of 30–day and 1–year mortality was 9.8% and 23.9%, while the observed incidence of death was 12.2% and 26.7%, respectively (both p<0.001). After multiple corrections, the higher rate of mortality was observed among patients admitted for stroke with a concomitant Covid–19 diagnosis. Conclusions During the Covid–19 pandemic in 2020 in Italy, the rate of hospitalizations for ischemic stroke was dramatically reduced, while both 30–day and 1–year mortality was increased, especially in those with a Covid–19 diagnosis, compared to the previous 5–year trend.