Faculty Collaboration Database

Factors associated with delays in seeking treatment for stroke care in veterans. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2013 Oct;22(7):e136-41

Date

12/12/2012

Pubmed ID

23219014

DOI

10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2012.09.017

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84885987007 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   7 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to examine the association between delay in seeking treatment (DST) for stroke care and demographic and clinical characteristics variables in a sample of veterans.

METHODS: We used survey data from 100 veterans with a diagnosis of stroke who were receiving poststroke care at a Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in the southeastern United States to evaluate the relationship between DST and key sample demographic and clinical characteristics. We used backward stepwise logistic regression models to assess the independent association between DST and demographic and clinical variables.

RESULTS: We found that stroke survivors reporting DST were more likely to be black (56.4% versus 32.8%; P = .02) and younger at the time of stroke onset (58.1 years versus 63.7 years; P = .02). In backward stepwise logistic regression models, being black was an independent predictor of DST (odds ratio [OR] 2.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-7.30; P = .04) in this veteran population.

CONCLUSIONS: Race appears to be a key factor associated with an increased likelihood of delays in seeking urgent stroke care in veterans. Future studies need to further examine the complex sociodemographic profile of patients who are most likely to delay seeking care for stroke and to develop interventions to reduce the impact of DST.

Author List

Ellis C, Knapp RG, Gilbert GE, Egede LE

Author

Leonard E. Egede MD Center Director, Chief, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
Female
Health Services Needs and Demand
Hospitals, Veterans
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Socioeconomic Factors
Stroke
Time Factors
United States
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans