The effect of educational level on the recurrence rate and number of episodes of stroke in stroke survivors

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the influence of educational level on the recurrence rate and number of stroke episodes in stroke survivors. Materials and methodsFor this cross-sectional study, information regarding patient characteristics, medical history, ability to perform activities of daily living, level of disability, number of episodes, and stroke recurrence was collected. Analyses were conducted using the chi-square test, analysis of variance, nonparametric test, Cox regression model, and the Kaplan-Meier method. ResultsOf the 696 stroke survivors enrolled in this study, the average stroke recurrence rate was 20.83 %, and the recurrence rates in patients with primary (or lower), secondary, and university (or higher) education were 26.58, 19.54 and 14.29 %, respectively. Patients with primary (or lower) or secondary education had a higher risk for stroke recurrence than those with a university education or higher. We found that the recurrence rate 10 years after an initial stroke was higher than that after 5 years. Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference in the cumulative recurrence rate among the three groups (χ2 = 9.36, P < 0.05). Lastly, the proportions of the number of stroke episodes differed between the various education level groups (P < 0.05). ConclusionsA lower educational level was shown to be a risk factor for stroke recurrence and education levels have an impact on the number of stroke episodes. Our results suggest that is necessary to strengthen post-stroke management and rehabilitation interventions for patients with low educational levels.