Stroke recurrence among Filipino patients taking aspirin for first‐ever non‐cardioembolic ischemic stroke

Background Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines. There is no Filipino data on stroke recurrence rates. Aim Our study aimed to determine the risk of recurrence for stroke, myocardial infarction, and death among Filipino patients on varying doses of aspirin with first-ever non-cardioembolic strokes and identify factors associated with stroke recurrence. Methods Patients aged 40-79 years with non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke within 30 days from symptom onset who were on varying doses of aspirin were included and followed up monthly for the occurrence of recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction and/ or death. Demographic and clinical data were collected at baseline and during each follow-up assessment. Results A total of 262 patients with first-ever, non-cardioembolic stroke were included. The mean age was 56 ± 9 years. The mean follow-up was 263.4 days. The cumulative survival rate for recurrent stroke was 92.1% at 1 year and 87.6% at 2 years. The cumulative survival rate for combined outcome of recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction and/ or death was 91.1% at 1 year and 82.1% at 2 years. Stroke recurrence was associated with the lack of effort to modify diet. Conclusions Among Filipino patients on aspirin for first-ever, non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke, the risk for stroke recurrence was 7.9% on the first year and 12.4% on the second year. The risk for combined stroke, myocardial infarction and death was 8.9% on the first year and 17.9% on the second year. The lack of effort to modify diet was associated with stroke recurrence. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.