idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Nachrichten, Termine, Experten

Grafik: idw-Logo
Grafik: idw-Logo

idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft

Science Video Project
idw-Abo

idw-News App:

AppStore

Google Play Store



Instance:
Share on: 
05/27/2024 16:55

High-income earners at lower risk of dying from stroke

Margareta G. Kubista, Sahlgrenska Academy, tel. +46 705 30 19 80, press@sahlgrenska.gu.se Communications Department
Schwedischer Forschungsrat - The Swedish Research Council

    High-income earners have a 32% lower risk of dying after a stroke compared to low-income earners. The equivalent for high education is 26% lower risk. The differences in stroke survival linked to socioeconomics are striking, according to a study at the University of Gothenburg.

    The results were presented at the European Stroke Conference ESOC 2024 in Basel, Switzerland, by Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen, Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, and the lead researcher behind the study.

    The register-based study analyzed data from 6,901 stroke patients at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg. The aim was to investigate the influence of what are called social determinants of health on stroke survival.

    Four factors were in focus: place of residence, country of birth, education and income. Disadvantageous factors included living in an area classified by the authorities as a vulnerable area, risk area or particularly vulnerable area, being born outside Sweden or Europe, having a short education and low income.

    A matter of life and death
    In addition to the association between income, education and stroke survival, the study shows a worrying trend in the combined effect of various factors. With one disadvantageous factor, the risk of death after a stroke was 18% higher, and with two to four disadvantageous factors it was 24% higher, compared with no disadvantageous factors.

    “This shows the reality that an individual's socio-economic situation can be a matter of life and death within the context of stroke, especially when several disadvantageous factors come into play,” says Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen.

    The study also found an association between increased risk of death after stroke and additional risk factors such as physical inactivity, diabetes, alcohol abuse and atrial fibrillation. Clear gender differences also emerged when the characteristics of patients were studied.

    Among those with no disadvantageous social determinants of health, 41% were women, while women made up 59% of the group with two to four disadvantageous factors. In the latter group, smokers and former smokers were also overrepresented.

    More health equity and better health
    “The number of people suffering from stroke in Europe is expected to increase, making the need for effective interventions more important than ever. Targeted strategies are crucial, policy makers need to tailor legislation and consider specific circumstances and needs in different parts of society, while healthcare providers should consider identifying patients at higher risk of fatality from stroke,” says Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen.

    “By addressing disparities, we will not only support the principles of health equity, but also have the opportunity to significantly improve overall public health,” she concludes.


    Portrait Image: Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen (photo: Josefin Bergenholtz), image can be downloaded here: https://news.cision.com/se/sahlgrenska-akademin-vid-goteborgs-universitet/i/kath...


    Contact for scientific information:

    Expert Contact: Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen, tel. +46 709 52 00 23, e-mail ks.sunnerhagen@neuro.gu.se
    Press Contact: Margareta G. Kubista, tel. +46 705 30 19 80, e-mail press@sahlgrenska.gu.se


    Original publication:

    Study: A register-based study on associations between stroke mortality and risk factors including social determinants of health. (Presented at ESOC 2024, the European Stroke Organisation Conference, Basel, Schweiz.)


    More information:

    https://news.cision.com/se/sahlgrenska-akademin-vid-goteborgs-universitet/i/kath...


    Images

    Criteria of this press release:
    Journalists
    Medicine
    transregional, national
    Research results
    English


     

    Help

    Search / advanced search of the idw archives
    Combination of search terms

    You can combine search terms with and, or and/or not, e.g. Philo not logy.

    Brackets

    You can use brackets to separate combinations from each other, e.g. (Philo not logy) or (Psycho and logy).

    Phrases

    Coherent groups of words will be located as complete phrases if you put them into quotation marks, e.g. “Federal Republic of Germany”.

    Selection criteria

    You can also use the advanced search without entering search terms. It will then follow the criteria you have selected (e.g. country or subject area).

    If you have not selected any criteria in a given category, the entire category will be searched (e.g. all subject areas or all countries).