While 90-day outcomes were more favorable than in the elderly, midlife stroke survivors faced some disability and did not experience better quality of life (QOL) despite better outcomes, a recent study found. Ischemic strokes (ISs) were identified from the population-based Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi Project (2000-2012); data were from medical records and patient interviews. 90-day outcomes (functional, neurologic, cognitive, QOL), prevalence of comorbidities, quality of care, and 1-year recurrence were estimated for those aged 45-64 years (midlife) and compared with those aged ≥65 years, using sex and race-ethnicity adjusted regression models. Researchers found:

• Of 4,858 ISs, 33% occurred in midlife.
• On average, the midlife group reported some difficulty with function, favorable neurologic and cognitive outcomes, and moderate QOL scores at 90 days.
• All outcomes except QOL were better in the midlife group.
• Prevalent comorbidities in midlife were hypertension (74%), diabetes (51%), hyperlipidemia (34%), heart disease (26%), prior stroke/transient ischemic attack (23%), smoking (37%), excess alcohol (10%), and atrial fibrillation (4%).
• Median body mass index (BMI) was 30.
• Diabetes, smoking, and alcohol were more prevalent and BMI higher in the midlife group.