Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Mortality Rate Caused by Severe Stroke

Background: Stroke is one of the most important causes of disability-adjusted life years lost. Low socioeconomic status is associated with increased stroke-related morbidity and mortality. Objective: This study aimed to investigate in-hospital mortality rate caused by severe cases of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and its relationship with patients’ socioeconomic status. Materials and Methods: This comparative analytical study with a cross-sectional design was conducted from April 2018 to March 2019 on 384 patients diagnosed with severe stroke admitted to the neurology department of Poursina Hospital in Rasht, Iran, who were selected using a purposive sampling method. They completed a demographic checklist and the Socio-Economic Status Questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out in SPSS V. 21 software. Results: It was reported a stroke death rate of 59.9%, of which 75.7% occurred in the hospital. Stroke-related mortality rate had a significant relationship with age (P=0.021), gender (P=0.047), not owning a home (P<0.001) and socioeconomic status (P<0.001). Conclusion: Some demographic factors including old age, male gender, not owning a home, and low socioeconomic status increase the risk of stroke-related mortality.