Discharge Outcomes of Ischemic Stroke Patients with Diabetes: Get with the Guidelines (P01.250)

OBJECTIVE: To determine if diabetes mellitus (DM) impacts discharge disposition and ambulatory status of ischemic stroke (IS) patients. BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a major risk factor for IS. Patients with DM have more severe strokes and higher mortality than non-diabetics. It is unclear if DM impacts discharge disposition and ambulatory status after stroke. We describe our experience in an inner city hospital using the Get-With-The-Guidelines-Stroke database. DESIGN/METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of IS admitted to Boston Medical Center from January/08 – June/12. DM was defined as history of DM, prior use of diabetes medication, or HbA1c ≥6.5. Using t-test and Fisher exact test of significance we compared baseline social, clinical, ambulatory status at discharge, and discharge disposition characteristics between DM and non-DM patients. Discharge ambulatory status was categorized as independent or use of minimal assistance vs. unable to ambulate; and discharge disposition as home, inpatient rehab, skilled nursing facility, long term care, hospice, or expired. RESULTS: A total of 1031 IS patients were identified, of which 53% were diabetic. Mean age was 65 and 51.5% were male. Of all, 50.7% were Black, 33.2% White, 2% Asian, 0.3% Native-American, 3.8% other and 10% undetermined. DM was more prevalent in Blacks (p CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest DM may impact ambulatory status at discharge. While limited by less objective evaluations of stroke severity, the impact of DM on discharge disposition of IS patients warrants further study. Disclosure: Dr. Salem has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pikula has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lau has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nguyen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shoamanesh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kase has nothing to disclose. Dr. Babikian has nothing to disclose. Dr. Romero has nothing to disclose.