Neurology: gender differences in intensity of care and prognosis for acute ischemic stroke patients of different ages

Sex differences have previously been reported in stroke care and outcomes, but it is unclear whether these associations differ
across the age continuum.
A study published in Neurology aimed to assess whether differences in care and outcomes between women and men varied
with age.

In a population-based cohort study, researchers used management data to identify patients
hospitalized for ischemic stroke in Ontario, Canada between 2012 and 2019 and followed up until 2020.
Logistic regression and reported odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess sex differences
in intensive care unit services, mechanical ventilation, gastrostomy tube insertion, comprehensive stroke centre care, stroke ward care, thrombolysis, and endovascular thrombectomy.
The COX proportional hazards model was used and hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals for dying at 90 or 365 days were reported
.
The model is adjusted for covariates and includes interactions between age and sex
.
Use the restricted cubic spline method to simulate the relationship between
age, care, and outcomes.
Where the p-values for interactions were statistically significant (p<0.
05), age-specific OR or HR
were reported.

Female patients have a higher risk of death after stroke than men aged 50 to 70 years
.
Examining overall sex differences in the results, without considering the impact of age-correction, may miss important findings
for specific age groups.

Sources: Xin Yu AY, Austin PC, Rashid M, et al.
Sex Differences in Intensity of Care and Outcomes After Acute Ischemic Stroke Across the Age Continuum [published online ahead of print, 2022 Sep 30].
Neurology.
2022; 10.
1212/WNL.
0000000000201372.
doi:10.
1212/WNL.
0000000000201372