Regulation of lipid levels after ischemic stroke and an analysis of the associated factors in China

Background and Objectives: Stroke is the most common neurological disease in China and regulation of lipid levels is important for secondary prevention. This study aimed to investigate the practice of lipid lowering agents immediately after and one month following ischemic stroke in China, and to determine the factors affecting the practice. Methods: A total of 857 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled from 11 hospitals in the Qingdao area, Northern China. Data pertaining to the patients' demographic, clinical data, and treatment before and after the stroke were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with the treatment at two time points: at the acute stage and at one month follow-up. Results: The frequency of lipid lowering therapy was 50.3% (431/857) at acute stage and 41.5% (306/738) at one month. Lipid lowering therapy at acute stage was independently and positively associated with a history of hyperlipidemia((P=0.002, OR (95% CI): 3.784 (1.610-8.898)) and excess alcohol consumption (P=0.005, OR (95% CI): 1.928 (1.214-3.062)), partial anterior circulation infarct classification (P=0.000, OR (95% CI): 1.974 (1.370-2.767)), and low-density lipoprotein levels ((P=0.000, OR (95% CI): 1.426 (1.170-1.739)). Lipid lowering therapy at one month follow-up was independently and positively associated with lipid lowering therapy at acute stage ((P=0.000, OR (95% CI): 18.275 (11.476-29.101)), and negatively with the Modified Rankin Scale >= 4 at follow-up ((P=0.030, OR (95% CI): 0.568 (0.341-0.948)). Conclusions: Lipid lowering therapy was found to be used in about half of patients during acute and early secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in the Qingdao area of Northern China. There should be more education efforts to the health care professionals and public to increase its use.