Author Interviews, Heart Disease, Race/Ethnic Diversity, Stroke / 27.07.2016
Adding Black Race To Scoring System Improves Stroke Prediction in AFib
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Mary Vaughan Sarrazin PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
University of Iowa Roy and Lucille Carver College of Medicine, and
Iowa City VA Medical Center, Center for Comprehensive Access & Delivery
Research and Evaluation (CADRE)
Iowa City
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Atrial fibrillation is associated with a higher risk of stroke. The CHA2DS2VASc score (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age 75 or older, diabetes, previous stroke, vascular disease, age 65-74, female sex) reflects stroke risk and is used to guide decisions regarding anticoagulation. Our prior work suggests that African Americans have a higher risk of stroke compared to other patients with atrial fibrillation, even after risk factor adjustments. In the current study, we used Medicare data to test whether addition of black race to CHA2DS2VASc score improves stroke prediction in patients with atrial fibrillation.
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