End of life after stroke: A nationwide study of 42,502 deaths occurring within a year after stroke

Our stroke associations should be following every stroke patient to find out their end recovery or death. I don't care that this would mean following 10 million yearly stroke survivors. Only by doing this will we get objective data to analyze and make recovery better. But your stroke association doesn't give a damn because they are just worried about what that next press release is going to say.  World Stroke Day here we come with awareness crapola. 

End of life after stroke: A nationwide study of 42,502 deaths occurring within a year after stroke 

Kjell Asplund, Staffan Lundström, Birgitta Stegmayr,

First Published October 6, 2017 Research Article

https://doi.org/10.1177/2396987317736202

Article information

Abstract

Introduction

In the scientific literature, there is very limited empirical information on end-of-life issues after stroke in the scientific literature. The present nationwide study describes the circumstances surrounding deaths that occur within a year after a stroke.

Patients and methods

Datasets from three nationwide Swedish registers (on stroke, palliative care and cause of death) were linked. Basic information was available for 42,502 unselected cases of death that occurred within a year after a stroke and more detailed information was available for 16,408 deaths. Odds ratios for characteristics of end-of-life care were calculated by logistic regression.

Results

In the late phase after stroke (three months to one year), 46% of patients died in a nursing home, whereas 37% of patients died in a hospital after readmission and 10% of patients died at home. Eleven per cent of deaths were reported as being unexpected. A next of kin was present at 49% of deaths. The frequency of unattended deaths (neither next of kin nor staff were present at the time of death) ranged from 5% at home with specialised home care to 25% in hospitals.

Discussion

This is, by far, the largest study published on end-of-life issues after stroke. Major differences between countries in healthcare, community services, family structure and culture may limit direct transfer of the present results to other settings.

Conclusion

There is considerable discordance between presumed ‘good death’ late after stroke (dying at home surrounded by family members) and the actual circumstances at the end of life.