Stroke in the Very Old: A Systematic Review
Author Information
Author(s): Tommasina Russo, Giorgio Felzani, Carmine Marini
Primary Institution: Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di L'Aquila, Italy
Hypothesis
What is the incidence, outcome, and resource use of stroke in very old subjects?
Conclusion
Stroke is very common in the very old and often leads to unfavorable outcomes, indicating a need for dedicated stroke services.
Supporting Evidence
- Stroke incidence increases with age, particularly in those over 80.
- Subjects over 80 contributed to 29.95% of all strokes.
- Thirty-day case fatality rates were higher in subjects over 80 compared to younger subjects.
- Healthcare resource use was lower in very old subjects with stroke.
Takeaway
Older people often have strokes, and they need special care because they can get very sick from it.
Methodology
A systematic review of studies was conducted, analyzing data from literature databases and reference lists.
Potential Biases
There may be biases due to varying methodologies and population characteristics in different studies.
Limitations
Data on stroke incidence in the very old is sparse and often inconsistent.
Participant Demographics
Participants were aged 80 years and older, with a similar incidence of stroke between men and women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 19.69 to 21.87
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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