A new study has found that social factors, including race, education, and location, significantly influence whether stroke patients receive crucial clot-busting drugs. The research, to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 76th Annual Meeting, reveals concerning disparities in stroke care across various demographic groups.
The study, conducted by Dr. Chanaka Nadeeshan Kahathuduwa and colleagues at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, analyzed data from 63,983 ischemic stroke patients in Texas. Only 11% of patients received thrombolytic therapy, a time-sensitive treatment crucial for stroke recovery.
Results showed that patients from the least socially disadvantaged group were 13% more likely to receive clot-busting drugs compared to other groups. Racial disparities were evident, with Black patients 10% less likely and Hispanic patients 7% less likely to receive the therapy than their white and non-Hispanic counterparts, respectively.
Insurance status also played a role, with Medicare, Medicaid, or Veterans Assistance beneficiaries and uninsured individuals less likely to receive treatment compared to those with private insurance. Additionally, rural residents were 40% less likely to receive clot-busting drugs than urban dwellers.
Dr. Kahathuduwa emphasized the study’s implications, stating, “Our results are concerning and shed light on health care disparities. This study demonstrates how social disadvantages may translate to worse stroke care.”
The researchers acknowledge the study’s limitation in not knowing how many patients arrived at the hospital within the critical timeframe for treatment. They stress the need for further investigation into the connection between social factors, healthcare systems, and stroke outcomes to improve equity in stroke care.
See “New study finds link between health care disparities and stroke treatment” (February 28, 2024)
