Prevalence and risk factors of stroke recurrence among 40 years old and above patients in rural areas of Liaoning province

  Objective  To explore the prevalence and risk factors of stroke recurrence among rural residents in Liaoning province and provide population-based evidences for secondary prevention of stroke.

  Methods  Using stratified cluster random sampling, we recruited 12 808 permanent rural residents aged ≥ 40 years in 19 villages of 4 counties/districts in different geographical regions of Liaoning province. A cross-sectional survey, including questionnaire interview, physical examination and laboratory detection, was carried out to collect the information on stroke recurrence and its associates among the residents between September 2017 and May 2018.

  Results  Among the 10 926 participants completing the survey, totally 731 stroke patients were identified. For all the stroke patients, the crude prevalence rate of stroke recurrence was 27.5% and there was no significant difference in the rate between male and female patients (28.3% vs. 26.67%, P > 0.05); the standardized prevalence rate of stroke recurrence was 21.76%, with a significantly higher rate in the male patients than in the female patients (24.66% vs.14.9%, P < 0.05). The highest prevalence rate (32.21%) of stroke recurrence was observed among the patients aged 60 – 69 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that male gender (odd ratio OR = 1.48%, 95% confidence interval 95% CI: 1.02 – 2.14), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 5.68, 95% CI: 2.50 – 12.93), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.08 – 3.47), overweight or obesity (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.17 – 2.42) were independent risk factors of stroke recurrence; while with a high annual household income (> 20 000 yuan RMB) was a protective factor against stroke recurrence.

  Conclusion  The prevalence rate of stroke recurrence is high and influence by multiple factors among rural stroke patients aged 40 years and above in Liaoning province, suggesting that comprehensive and effective secondary and tertiary stroke prevention need to be promoted urgently in the population.