Abstract Text

Introduction. In the last 3 decades Ireland has become increasingly diverse with emigration from many countries. A large proportion have settled in urban Dublin, presenting a challenge in respect of diversity of stroke aetiology and presentation. We performed a study to examine the diversity of these international stroke patients comparing outcome with the general population.

Methods. Examination of an electronic stroke register for a University Hospital serving central Dublin over a period of 87 months. Data on nationality was obtained from the register and electronic patient record.

Results.

Data on 100 international subjects (42 women) from 37 countries (excluding UK and Ireland) admitted between January 2011 and March 2018 were analysed, 5.2% of total admissions. Mean age of the population was younger than general population (54 years (SD 16.5) vs. 70.5 years (SD 14.4). Proportion of men to women did not differ (44% female, p=0.6 Chi Square). Length of Stay (LOS) was shorter for international subjects (Median 5.5 days (IQR 3-14) vs. 9 days (IQR 4-21)). Ratio of haemorrhagic to Ischaemic stroke was similar to that of Irish national data for the period (21% vs. 21.7% p=0.9 Chi Square).

Compared to a group controlled for age and sex, LOS was non-significantly shorter in International subjects (Median 5.5 vs. 7 days , (p = 0.3. Wilcoxon Signed Rank)) and Mortality was non-significantly higher 8% vs. 5% (p= 0.4).

Conclusions. Our international population suffering strokes are substantially younger than the general population but outcomes for these patients are similar to controls.

Keywords:
stroke
epidemiology
Immigration
mortality
Length of Stay

Characteristics of Stroke in an Urban Multinational Immigrant Population.