Classical Risk Factors for Ischemic Stroke are not Associated with Inpatient Post-Stroke Mortality in Sickle Cell Disease

Objectives: Sickle cell disease is a common haemoglobinopathy that significantly increases the risk of ischemic stroke. Because the risk factors for ischemic stroke onset and mortality in non-sickle cell disease patients have been largely elucidated, this paper aims to analyze risk factors for ischemic stroke mortality in sickle cell disease patients, which remain largely unknown. Materials/Methods: The National Inpatient Sample database (2016–2017) was used to develop a multivariable regression model for risk quantification of known ischemic stroke risk factors for in-hospital mortality in ischemic stroke patients with and without sickle cell disease. Results: Classical risk factors for ischemic stroke onset, including ischemic heart disease, carotid artery disease, lipidemias, hypertension, obesity, tobacco use, atrial fibrillation, personal or family history of stroke, congenital heart defects, congestive heart failure, cardiac valve disorder, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetes mellitus are associated with in-hospital mortality in non-sickle cell patients (p < 0.05). However, no significant association was found between these stroke risk factors and in-hospital mortality in sickle cell disease patients presenting with ischemic stroke (p > 0.05). Conclusions: While the classical risk factors for stroke onset are associated with in-hospital mortality in non-sickle cell stroke patients, they are not associated with in-hospital mortality in sickle cell stroke patients.