A Nationwide Multi-Center Questionnaire Survey on the Real-World State and Issues Regarding Post-Stroke Complications in Japan

Abstract Objectives Post-stroke complications affect stroke survivors across the world, although data on them are limited. We conducted a questionnaire survey to examine the real-world state and issues regarding post-stroke complications in Japan, which represents a super-aged society. Materials and Methods In 2018, a nationwide multi-center questionnaire survey was conducted in the top 500 Japanese hospitals regarding the number of stroke patients treated. Three questionnaires regarding post-stroke complications were mailed to the doctors responsible for stroke management. Results Responses were obtained from 251 hospitals (50.2%). The chief doctors responsible for stroke management answered the questionnaires. The number of stroke patients in the departments of neurology and neurosurgery was 338.3 ± 195.3 and 295.8 ± 121.8. Hospitals were classified using the categories secondary (n =142) and tertiary hospitals (n = 106); most hospitals were acute hospitals. Dementia was the most common complication (30.9%), followed by dysphagia (29.3%), and apathy (16.3%). Dementia was thought to be more common by neurologists than neurosurgeons, while apathy and bladder-rectal disorder were thought to be more common by neurosurgeons than neurologists (p = 0.001). The most difficult complication to treat was dysphagia (40.4%), followed by dementia (33.9%), epilepsy (4.1%), and fall (4.1%). Dementia was considered to lack clinical evidence regarding treatment (32.8%), followed by dysphagia (25.3%), and epilepsy (14.1%). Epilepsy was considered to lack clinical evidence among hospitals with a larger number of stroke cases (p = 0.044). Conclusion This study revealed the current state and issues regarding post-stroke complications in Japan. Clinicians should be aware of the importance of post-stroke complications, although data on them remain unsatisfactory.