Trends in Diet Counseling Among Stroke Versus Non-Stroke Patients: Evidence from the NAMCS, 2011–2016

Abstract

IntroductionDietary modifications in post-stroke patients facilitated by diet counseling improves post-stroke recovery and stroke recurrence. The extent to which clinicians provide dietary counseling for these patients is unknown. Methods2011 to 2016 National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys (NAMCS) data were used to assess trends in post-stroke diet consultations by age. Multivariate logistic regression models assessed the likelihood of dietary counseling provision among patients with and without stroke. ResultsThe proportion of patients with stroke aged 60–79 who received diet counseling decreased from 18.2% in 2011 to 5.3%, 11.9%, 8.7%, 13.4%, and 15.2% in 2012–2016, respectively. Among patients without stroke aged 60–79, diet counseling rate decreased from 12.9% in 2011 to 7%, 9.5%, 10.5%, 13.5%, and 12% in 2012–2016, respectively. Similar trends were observed among patients with and without stroke aged over 80. ConclusionsThe proportion of patients with and without stroke receiving dietary counseling has remained low over the past half-decade. It is likely multifactorial– related to clinician knowledge, patients' receptiveness, and system-level factors of time and reimbursement. Future interventions should explore methods to address barriers to nutrition recommendations for post-stroke patients and patient activation to adopt dietary changes.