Medical Research Journals
06 Jul Much of HIV Transmission Driven By Herpes Co-Infection
MedicalResearch Interview with: Dr. Don C. Des Jarlais PhD Director, International Research Core, Center for Drug Use and HIV Research Research Fellow, NDRI Director of Research, Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Medical Research: What are the main findings of the study? Dr. Des Jarlais: HIV infection among non-injecting users of heroin and cocaine doubled doubled over the last several decades, from 7% to 14%. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) increases both susceptibility to and transmissibility of HIV. We examined HSV-2 infection among non-injecting heroin and cocaine user over the same time period using stored serum samples. HSV-2 infection was strongly related to HIV infection, and both increased over time. We calculated population attributable risk percentages (PAR%) to estimate the extent to which HSV-2 was driving increased HIV infection. HSV-2 infection was responsible for approximately half of the increase in HIV infection04 Jul Heart Failure: Low Prealbumin At Discharge Linked to Mortality
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Patrícia Lourenço Serviço de Medicina Interna, Centro Hospitalar São João Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Unidade I&D Cardiovascular do Porto Monteiro, Portugal; Medical Research: What are the main findings of the study? Dr. Lourenço: A low prealbumin at hospital discharge associates with morbidity and mortality in acute heart failure patients. The prognostic value of low prealbumin in heart failure is independent of other nutritional markers and of the inflammatory status.04 Jul Validating Medicare Claims Data For Stroke
MedicalResearch.com Interview with Hiraku Kumamar, MD, MPH Department of Epidemiology Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA and Soko Setoguchi-Iwata, M.D. Duke Clinical Research Institute Durham, NC 27715 Medical Research: What are the main findings of the study? Answer: We evaluated the accuracy of discharge diagnosis of stroke in the Medicare claims database by linking it to a nationwide epidemiological study cohort with 30239 participants called REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS). We found that among the 282 events captured using a strict claims definition of stroke, 91% were true events. We also found that 12% of the overall strokes had been identified only by Medicare claims, strongly supporting the use of these readily available data for event follow-up in cohort studies.03 Jul Newer Drug-Eluting Stents Narrow Gap Between Cardiac Bypass and Stent Surgery Outcomes
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Sripal Bangalore, MD, MHA
Director of Research, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory,
Director, Cardiovascular Outcomes Group,
Associate Professor of Medicine,
New York University School of Medicine,
New York, NY 10016
Medical Research: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Bangalore: We found that while CABG was associated with mortality benefit when compared with bare metal stents or first generation drug eluting stent, the gap between CABG and PCI was smaller and non significant when PCI was with newer generation DES. The same was true for repeat revascularization with the magnitude of benefit with CABG descending considerable from comparison with balloon angioplasty to newer generation DES.
03 Jul Nasal Cavity Malignancies: Charged Particle Therapy May Be Superior To Conventional Photon Therapy
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Robert Foote MD
Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Foote: Charged particle therapy (mainly protons and carbon ions) provide superior overall survival, disease-free survival and tumor control when compared to conventional photon therapy. In particular, it appears that proton beam therapy provides superior disease-free survival and tumor control when compared to the state of the art intensity modulated radiation therapy using photons.
03 Jul Pediatric Celiac Disease: Using HLA Genotype To Help Determine Risk
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Daniel Agardh M.D., Ph.D
Department of Pediatrics
Diabetes and Celiac Disease Unit
Skåne University Hospital
Malmo, Sweden,
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Agardh: In this study, we stratify the risk of celiac disease among children according to their HLA genotype and country of residence. We confirm that HLA-DQ2/2 genotype is the major risk factor for early celiac disease, but also show how the risk differs between the participating countries despite of sharing similar HLA risk. This points to the direction of an interaction between HLA and the environment that eventually lead to an autoimmune response in genetic susceptible children.
03 Jul PAD: Polyphenols in Dark Chocolate May Improve Peripheral Artery Disease
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Lorenzo Loffredo, MD and Francesco Violi, MD Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study? Answer: Dark chocolate is rich of polyphenols; these natural substances exert antioxidant properties and, through an increase of nitric oxide, dilate arteries. Our research group applied this effect to enhance blood flow in a very common disease, the peripheral arterial disease. This disease is characterized by reduced blood flow to the limbs. There are not any drugs that improve this blood flow, but dark chocolate could. Our study suggest that dark chocolate, and only dark chocolate, could reduce oxidative stress and improve blood flow and walking autonomy in patients with peripheral arterial disease. We observed no effect on blood flow, oxidative stress and on walking autonomy in PAD patients after milk chocolate assumption. This lack of effect was probably due to the low concentration of polyphenols in milk chocolate.03 Jul Accidents and Violence Account For Most Deaths Among US Young People
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Tamara Haegerich, PhD
Deputy Associate Director for Science
Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention
CDC - National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Haegerich: In the first three decades of life, more people in the US die from injuries and violence than from any other cause. Approximately 60% of fatal injuries are unintentional (for example, from motor vehicle crashes, drug overdose, and falls), 20% are due to suicide, and 20% are due to homicide. Injuries and violence have been linked to a wide range of physical, mental health, and reproductive health problems, and chronic diseases. They take an enormous economic toll, including the cost of medical care and lost productivity. Importantly, injuries and violence are preventable through education, behavior change, policy, engineering, and environmental supports. For example, laws that promote the use of seat belts and child safety seats, and prevent drunk driving, can reduce motor-vehicle-related injuries. Early childhood home visitation, school-based programs, and therapeutic foster care are examples of evidence-based approaches to preventing violence. Improving proper prescribing of painkillers and access to treatment for substance misuse could prevent prescription drug overdoses. Improvements are possible by framing injuries and violence as preventable, identifying interventions that are cost-effective and based on research, providing information to decision makers, and strengthening the capacity of the health care system.
03 Jul Sickle Cell Disease Potentially Cured with Nonmyeloablative HLA-Matched Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. John Tisdale MD
Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases,
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Tisdale: Using a nonmyeloablative allogeneic HLA-match peripheral blood stem cell transplantation strategy aimed at tolerance induction, we were able to revert the phenotype in 26 of 30 adult patients with severe sickle cell disease ranging in age from 16 to 65 years. In contrast to standard transplantation strategies which rely on high doses of chemo and/or radiotherapy after which the entire bone marrow and blood system is replaced by that of the donor, our patients had a mixture of their own and that of their donor. This procedure was well tolerated, with no non-relapse mortality, and led to complete replacement of red blood cells by that of the donor in successfully engrafted patients. This replacement resulted in decreases in pain, pain medication usage, hospitalizations, and improvements in organ function.
03 Jul Insulin Pump May Be A Valuable Option For Difficult Type 2 Diabetes
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Professor Yves Reznik Department of Endocrinology, University of Caen Côte de Nacre Regional Hospital Center Caen, France MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study? Prof. Reznik: OPT2MISE definitively demonstrate that pump therapy is a valuable option for treating those type 2 diabetes patients with uncontrolled hyperglycemia despite a high dose insulin regimen including at least 3 injections per day of rapid-acting and slow-acting insulin analogues, the gold standard for intensified insulin therapy. Such benefit on glucose control is obtained with lower daily insulin doses and without weight gain in comparison with multiple injection therapy. Pump therapy is effective in a population of patients un-preselected for their ability to deal with a medical device.02 Jul Links Between Breast Cancer and Obesity Studied
MedicalResearch.com Interview with
Sai-Ching Jim Yeung, MD, PhD, FACP
Professor of Medicine
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Department of Emergency Medicine
Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders
Houston, Texas 77230-1402
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Yeung: We believe that this study has bridged a significant gap in knowledge between epidemiological data (the association of obesity and poor breast cancer prognosis) and biological mechanisms mediating the impact of obesity on cancer. This study provides an important mechanistic insight into the causal relationship between obesity and breast cancer growth.
- Direct evidence for the links between obesity-associated changes in the biological processes and hallmarks of cancer in human estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer.
- Experimental evidence that obesity causes accelerated oncogene-driven ER+ breast cancer carcinogenesis.
01 Jul Asymptomatic Atrial Fibrillation Relatively Common In Cryptogenic Stroke
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Tommaso Sanna MD Institute of Cardiology Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Rome, Italy MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study? Dr. Sanna: In patients with cryptogenic stroke, continuous ECG monitoring with an implantable device, called the Reveal XT Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM), discovered Atrial Fibrillation in 6.4 times more patients than conventional diagnostic strategies at six months, 7.3 times more patients at 12 months, and 8.8 times more patients at 36 months. In more detail, after 36 months of follow-up, 30% of patients with cryptogenic stroke had at least one episode of atrial fibrillation.01 Jul Aspirin and Lifestyle Changes May Modulate Colon Cancer Risk
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Kaspar Truninger, MD, FMH
Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine
Langenthal, Switzerland
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Truninger: In our study, we investigated the effect of lifestyle exposure on DNA methylation. We measured genome-wide promoter CpG methylation in 1092 normal colon biopsies from 546 healthy females. We observed that fewer CpGs acquired age-dependent methylation in users of aspirin and hormonal replacement therapy compared with nonusers, whereas more CpGs were affected in smokers and individuals with a body mass index > 25 compared with nonsmokers and less obese females. Half of the CpGs showing age-dependent methylation gain were hypermethylated in tissue of colorectal cancer. These loci gained methylation with a higher rate and were particularly susceptible to lifestyle exposure compared to age-only methylated CpGs. In addition, these CpGs were enriched for polycomb regions. Finally, all effects were different according to the anatomic location along the colon.
01 Jul Women May Be More Comfortable Seeking Mental Health Support Than Men
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Flora I Matheson PhD
Centre for Research on Inner City Health
St. Michael's Hospital
Toronto, ON, Canada
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Matheson:
- We found that women were 10 per cent more likely to use mental health services than men.
- And that within any 3-year period, women with physical illness used medical services for mental health treatment 6 months earlier than men.
01 Jul Slowdown In US Health Care Costs Largely Due to Flat Physician Reimbursement, Use of Generic Drugs
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: M Luca Lorenzoni OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Health Accounts, Asian Health and Social Policy Outreach ELS/Health Division MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study? Answer:- The United States is an outlier in the scenery of OECD as it ranks first for health care expenditure, but last for coverage.
- The slowdown in US health care spending during the past decade brought the growth rate closer to that of other high-spending countries -Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland- at around 1%. Previously in 2002, the US's health expenditure growth was around 7%, much higher than the approximate 3% which was the average for the other countries examined in the study
- Higher health-sector prices (e.g., hospital care and prescription drugs) are thought to be the main driver of expenditure differences between the US and other high-spending countries, and recent price dynamics largely explain declines in health expenditure growth.
01 Jul Diabetes: Intensive Treatment May Cause More Quality-of-Life Loss than Gain
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Sandeep Vijan, MD, MS
Center for Clinical Management Research
Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Hospital,
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor Michigan
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Vijan: The main finding was that the burdens and side effects of intensive glycemic treatment significantly detract from the overall benefit of lower risks of diabetes complications, often to the point where the treatments cause more loss than gain in quality of life. It takes many (often 15-20) years to gain benefit from treatment, but the burdens begin right away and continue throughout treatment. By the time you might experience treatment benefit in terms of reduced complication risk, you've had a lot of years to have the downsides of treatment - which commonly include significant weight gain, low blood sugars, gastrointestinal symptoms, not to mention having to take multiple pills or injections on a daily basis.
01 Jul Oral HIV Prophylaxis May Also Provide Some Protection Against Herpes
MedicalResearch.com: Interview with
Connie Celum, MD, MPH
Professor of Global Health and Medicine
Director, International Clinical Research Center
University of Washington
Harborview Medical Center
Seattle WA 98104
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Celum: We conducted a randomized, double blind study of daily oral tenofovir and tenofovir combined with emtricitabine (FTC) as oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV among HIV serodiscordant couples (in which onepartner had HIV and the other partner did not) in Kenya and Uganda. Because of recent studies showing that tenofovir gel could reduce the chances of becoming HSV-2 infected, we studied the subset of HIV-uninfected partners who did not have HSV-2 and compared the rates who became HSV-2 infected during follow-up among those who received oral pre-exposure prophylaxis versus those who received placebo. We found that oral pre-exposure prophylaxis reduced HSV-2 acquisition by 30%.
30 Jun Diabetes: Switching Off A Single Gene Allows GI Cells To Produce Insulin
MedicalResearch.com: Interview with
Dr. Domenico Accili MD
Professor of Medicine
Department of Medicine
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
New York, New York 10032
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Accili: By switching off a single gene (foxo1), scientists at Columbia University’s Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center have converted human gastrointestinal cells into insulin-producing cells, demonstrating in principle that a drug could retrain cells inside a person’s GI tract to produce insulin.
30 Jun Cardiac CT Associated With Enhanced Preventative Medical Care
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Eddie Hulten, MD MPH FACC FSCCT and
Ron Blankstein, MD FACC
Cardiovascular Imaging Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Bethesda, MD Boston, MA
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Answer: Although any medical test should be used to change management, the extent to which CCTA (Cardiac computed tomography angiography) findings are associated with medication changes (aspirin and lipid lowering) is not previously extensively studied.
Thus, we conducted the largest and one of the longest follow up studies of preventive cardiovascular medications before and after coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). We demonstrated that CCTA findings are associated with significant changes in preventive medications after CCTA.
29 Jun Passive Exposure to Tobacco Linked to Increased Allergies in Children
MedicalResearch.com Interview with
Dr. Wojciech Feleszko
Department of Pediatric Respiratory Diseases and Allergy
The Medical University of Warsaw
Działdowska Warsaw, Poland
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Feleszko: We combined data from nineteen population-based cohort studies of 24 000 children and we found that household exposure to tobacco smoke after birth has immunomodulating effects. We demonstrated an increased sensitivity to allergens, measured by serum IgE and skin testing which may contribute to the increased development of allergy in children exposed postnatally to household tobacco smoke.
27 Jun Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Guidelines Discussed
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: James R. Klinger, MD, FCCP Professor of Medicine, Brown University Darren Taichman, MD, PhD, FCCP Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Greg Elliott, MD, MACP, FCCP Professor of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine Background: The authors discuss the June 17, 2014 CHEST publication: Pharmacological Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Adults: CHEST Guideline MedicalResearch: How widespread is the problem of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)? Greg Elliott: PAH is an uncommon, but important disorder because untreated it is usually progressive and fatal, AND there are effective treatments. This makes the guidelines important for physicians, patients and insurers. MedicalResearch: What are the most common causes of PAH? Greg Elliott: Common causes are connective tissues diseases like scleroderma, toxins like methamphetamine and cases for which the cause is not known, i.e. idiopathic. Some (about 20 %) idiopathic cases are caused by gene mutations.27 Jun PCOS: Adding Anti-Inflammatory Drug Roflumilast to Metformin May Reduce Obesity
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Mojca Jensterle Department of Endocrinology. Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases. University Medical Centre. Zaloska 7. Slovenia. MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study? Answer: This is the first report demonstrating that selective phosphodiesterase enzyme (PDE) 4 inhibitor roflumilast added to metformin (MET) was superior to metformin alone in reducing mean body weight after 12 weeks of treatment in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), primarily due to a loss of fat mass. 31 women with PCOS diagnosed by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development criteria aged 33.8 ± 7.4 years with BMI 36.4 ± 5.1 kg/m2concluded the study. They were randomized to MET 1000 mg BID or combined treatment (COM) with MET 1000 mg BID and roflumilast 500 mcg QD. The primary outcome were changes in anthropometric measures of obesity. At study endpoint subjects treated with COM lost on average 4.2 ± 2.8 kg compared to a 0.9± 2.5 kg weight gain in METgroup (p<0.001). BMI decreased for 1.6 ± 1.1 kg/m2 in COM arm compared to increase for 0.9 ± 2.4 kg/m2 in MET arm (p= 0.001). Total body fat decreased for 0.7±0.4 % in COM as opposed to 0.2 ± 0.1 % increase in MET and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area as assessed by DXA decreased for 15.5 ± 1.6 cm2 in COM as opposed to 11.4 ± 5.3 cm2 increase in MET. The greater waist circumference reduction was noted in COM (4.2 ± 1 cm) compared with MET (0.8 ± 0.7 cm). The improvements of obesity measures were associated with beneficial effects on fasting glucose levels, insulin resistance and resolution of metabolic syndrome in affected women. The hypothesis behind the weight decrease and beneficial metabolic impact observed with roflumilast is based on the PDE4 regulation of signaling pathways linked to GLP-1 release. In experimental rodent model a single treatment with roflumilast enhanced plasma GLP-1 levels up to 2.5 -fold.27 Jun Neurosurgical Study Finds Long Term Disabled May Adapt To Severe Disability
MedicalResearch:com Interview with: Stephen Honeybul FDS RCS (Eng), FRCS (SN), FRACS Consultant Neurosurgeon Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital HOD Royal Perth Hospital Perth WA Australia MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of this study? Dr. Honeybul: Amongst those patients who had been adjudged severely disabled or in a vegetative state at 18 months, remained as such at the three years follow up. Most patients who were able to provide a response said that they would have provided consent to the "life saving" intervention even if they had known their final outcome26 Jun Adults with Asperger Syndrome May Experience Increase Risk of Suicidal Thoughts
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr Sarah Cassidy PhD
Autism Research Centre,Department of Psychiatry
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Cassidy: We found that adults with late diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (31 years on average), were at significantly higher risk of contemplating suicide during their lifetime (66%) than those from the general UK population (17%), and a sample of patients with Psychosis (59%).
We also found that adults diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome with a history of depression, were significantly more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, and suicide plans or attempts, than those with Asperger Syndrome without a history of depression. A higher level of autistic traits was also a significant risk factor for having planned or attempted suicide.
26 Jun Association of Surgery On Very Low Birth Weight Infants and Subsequent Neurodevelopmental Impairment
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Frank H. Morriss, Jr., MD, MPH
Professor of Pediatrics - Neonatology
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Morriss: Our aim was to assess the association between surgery performed during the initial hospitalization of very low- birth-weight infants and subsequent death or neurodevelopmental impairment at 18-22 months’ corrected age. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients who were prospectively enrolled in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network Generic Database from 1998 to 2009. Surgery was classified by the expected anesthesia type as either major surgery that likely would have been performed under general anesthesia; or minor surgery, that is, procedures that could have been performed under non-general anesthesia and in general were shorter in duration. There were 2,186 major surgery patients and 784 minor surgery patients and more than 9,000 patients who did not undergo surgery.
We found that any surgical procedure increased the adjusted risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment in low birth weight infants by about 30%. Not all surgical procedures were associated with increased risk, however. Compared with those who did not undergo surgery, patients who were classified as having major surgery had a risk-adjusted odds ratio of death or neurodevelopmental impairment of 1.52 (95% confidence interval 1.24-1.87). However, those who were classified as having minor surgery had no increased adjusted risk. Among survivors who had major surgery compared with those who did not undergo surgery the risk-adjusted odds ratio for neurodevelopmental impairment was 1.56 (95% confidence interval 1.26-1.93), and the risk-adjusted mean Bayley II Mental Developmental Index and mean Psychomotor Developmental Index values were significantly lower.
25 Jun Whooping Cough Can Still Cause Significant Cough Even In Fully Vaccinated Children
MedicalResearch.com: Interview with
Kay Wang
Academic Clinical Lecturer
Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Wang: We have found evidence of recent whooping cough infection in 1 in 5 school age children who see their doctor with a persistent cough and in 1 in 6 children who have been fully vaccinated against whooping cough. We have also shown that whooping cough can still cause clinically significant cough in fully vaccinated children.
25 Jun Surprising Number of Patients Do Not Take Their Prescribed Statin Medication
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Heli Halava: Departments of Public Health and Pharmacology, Turku, Finland MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study? Dr. Halava: The associations between lifestyle factors and nonadherence to statin therapy varied by cardiovascular comorbidity status. Of the participants without cardiovascular comorbidities (n = 6458), 3171 (49.1%) were nonadherent with their statin therapy. Of the participants with cardiovascular comorbidities (n = 2827), 1155 (40.9%) were nonadherent. People with cardiovascular comorbidities who had risky drinking behaviours or a cluster of lifestyle risks were at increased risk of nonadherence.25 Jun Overall Hospitalizations for Stroke Decrease, but Racial Disparities Remain
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Wuwei (Wayne) Feng MD MS FANA
Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience
Department of Health Science & Research
Medical University of South Carolina Stroke Center
The Center of Rehabilitation Research in Neurological Conditions
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Feng: Stroke hospitalization rate is decreasing in the elderly, but increasing in the young/middle aged population, but this increase is mainly driven by the increase in blacks (not in whites) which incurred persistent racial disparity in stroke. It has tremendous economic impact as outlined in the paper. Of hospital charges totaling $2.8 billion over 10-year period, $453.2 million (16.4%) are associated with racial disparity (79.6% from patients <65 years).
By way of background:
84,179 stroke hospitalizations occurred in South Carolina from 2001 to 2010. Blacks accounted for 29,846 (35.5%) and whites accounted for 54,333 (64.5%) of the strokes. Among blacks, 50.4% were <65 years of age compared to 29.6% among whites. The overall stroke hospitalization rate decreased over the 10-year period. There was a significant reduction in stroke hospitalization rate in the older (≥65 years old) populations, for both blacks and whites.
Whereas, in the younger populations (<65 years old), the overall rate of stroke hospitalizations actually increased significantly; however this increase was only associated with black patients. For example, the hospitalization rate per 100,000 for young blacks was 121 in 2001, 139 in 2005 and 142 in 2010 (a 17.3% increase from 2001).
This racial disparity was more severe in the younger group with the highest disparity seen in the 45-54 year age groups for both ischemic strokes (having a clot) and intra-cerebral hemorrhagic strokes.