Secondary Prevention in a Large Stroke Population

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Abstract
Background and Purpose— In this study, linked, anonymous data from The National Hospital Discharge Register and the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register were used for studying to what extent recommended drugs for secondary prevention after stroke and TIA were purchased by patients in the region of Stockholm, Sweden (2 million inhabitants). Methods— Data on purchased drugs for secondary stroke prevention during July 2005 to June 2006 by 17 902 patients >18 years discharged after stroke or TIA during the period 1997 to June 2005 were analyzed by age, gender, and year of discharge. Results— Antiplatelets and warfarin were purchased by 87% of all stroke and 83% of all TIA patients, antihypertensives by 74% and 70%, and lipid lowering drugs by 41% and 39%, respectively. Conclusion— Time after discharge had only a minor influence on the proportion of patients purchasing the medicines.