Sex Differences in Outcomes and Associated Risk Factors After Acute Ischemic Stroke in Elderly Patients: A Prospective Follow-up Study

Abstract

Stroke has a greater effect on women. However, sex differences in outcome and factors associated with outcome among elderly patients are unknown. From January 2009 to December 2011, 810 patients with acute ischemic stroke aged 75 years or older were recruited in China. Clinical profile and risk factors were recorded. Outcomes and associated risk factors at 12 and 36 months after stroke were assessed by sex. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias, and obesity prevalence rates were higher in women than in men; opposite trends were found for smoking and alcohol consumption. The mortality rate at 12 months after stroke was significantly greater in men than in women (23.3% versus 16.6%, P = .015). Large-artery atherothrombotic and cardioembolic stroke subtypes were risk factors for mortality, recurrence, and dependency in both sexes. In men, atrial fibrillation was a risk factor of mortality at 12 months after stroke (relative ratio [RR], 2.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-3.27), but obesity was a protective factor of mortality at 36 months after stroke (RR, .30; 95% CI, .10-.94). However, in women, atrial fibrillation was a risk factor of recurrence at 12 months (RR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.31-4.12) and dependency at 36 months after stroke (RR, 7.68; 95% CI, 1.60-36.82). We assessed sex differences in stroke outcomes and associated risk factors at 12 and 36 months after stroke in a large hospital-based stroke registry of elderly patients from Northern China. Thus, it is crucial to emphasize risk management to elderly patients to reduce mortality, recurrence, and dependency after stroke.