Long-term survival in working-age patients after cerebrovascular accident

Abstract

Objective. To assess the long-term survival in working-age patients after cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and to define basic medical and social factors determining the survival rates. Material and methods. A continuous retrospective study included 756 working-age patients (<60 years) after CVA. The life-table method and Kaplan—Meier analysis were used to calculate a survival rate. Results. The highest risk of death was observed in the first year of CVA. One-year survival after CVA was 81.7%, falling to 74.7% at 3 years and to 57.9% at 7 years. The five-year survival was lower among men (60%) compared to women (74.5%). The figures were higher in working population compared to non-working population (78% vs. 56%, respectively). Long-term survival rate depends on the type of CVA: the five-year survival rate after unspecified stroke was 83.0%, after ischemic stroke — 69.0%, after hemorrhagic stroke — 43.0%. The direct dependence between long-term survival and patient age has been identified: older patients have worse long-term prognosis. Conclusion. The seven-year survival rate in working-age patients after cerebrovascular accident was 58%. The health and social factors affecting the long-term survival rates in working-age patients are as follows: hemorrhagic stroke, unemployment, male gender and advanced age.