Ethnic disparities in long-term outcomes and health care usage after stroke in the Netherlands

Poststroke health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important outcome that may be influenced by ethnicity. To compare long-term HRQOL, mental health and healthcare utilization between stroke survivors with a European (EUB) and non-European background (NEUB) in a hospital population. In this retrospective cohort study patients completed questionnaires 2–5 years after stroke. Assessments included the EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ-5D), Short Form (SF-36, with physical and mental component summary scales, PCS and MCS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; scores ≥8 indicate clinically relevant complaints) and a questionnaire on the usage of services from physicians and/or healthcare professionals (HCP) in the past 6 months. Linear and logistic regression analysis was used, adjusted for age, sex, level of education and functional outcome. We included 207 patients (169 EUB, 38 NEUB); mean age 63.8 years (SD 14.4); 60.4 % male; mean follow up 36.3 months (SD 9.9). The EQ-5D and the PCS were higher in EUB versus NEUB patients (42.9 vs 35.4, p