ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Do older patients receive adequate stroke care? An experience of a neurovascular clinic

Y-Y K Kee, W Brooks, A Bhalla

St Helier Stroke Service, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Carshalton, Surrey, UK

Correspondence to:
Dr Y-Y K Kee, Elderly Care Medicine, Mayday University Hospital, 530 London Road, Croydon CR7 7YE, Surrey, UK; karenkee{at}doctors.org.uk

Background: National guidelines and government directives have adopted policies for urgent assessment of patients with a transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke not admitted to hospital. The risk of recurrent stroke increases substantially with age, as does the potential benefit of secondary prevention. In order to develop effective strategies for older patients, it is important to identify how stroke care is currently provided for this patient group.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2006, older patients (>75 years) referred to a neurovascular clinic were compared with younger patients (75 years). Sociodemographic details, clinical features, resource use and secondary prevention in a neurovascular clinic were collected.

Results: Of 379 patients referred to the clinic, 129 (34%) were given a non-stroke diagnosis. Of the remaining 250 patients, 149 (60%) were 75 years. Median time from symptom onset to clinic appointment was similar for the two groups (24 (IQR 15–42) vs 24 (IQR 14–43) days; p = 0.58). Older patients were more likely to be in atrial fibrillation (10.1% vs 22.8%, p<0.001) and have lacunar stroke (34.7% vs 22.1%; p = 0.04). CT rates were similar in the two groups (27.8% vs 80.0%, p = 0.75). Scans were performed more quickly in younger patients (p<0.01). MRI scan rates were higher in younger patients (26% vs 4%, p<0.01), as was carotid Doppler imaging (92% vs 77%, p<0.01). There were no differences in prescribed secondary preventive treatments. Older patients experienced less delay for carotid endarterectomy (49 vs 90 days, p<0.01). Younger patients were more likely to be given advice on weight reduction (30.2% vs 12.9%, p<0.01) and diet (46.3% vs 31.7%, p = 0.02) than older patients.

Conclusions: Older patients were less likely to receive diagnostic investigations and lifestyle modification advice than younger patients. Guidelines need to be adopted to ensure prompt evidence-based stroke care in the outpatient setting.

Keywords: stroke; older; neurovascular; transient ischaemic attack; age discrimination

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