title: The use of antiplatelet agents for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in U.S. ambulatory care settings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined stroke prevention with antiplatelet agents by U.S. nonfederal office physicians and hospital outpatient departments from 2005-2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  The nationally representative dataset used a multistage (112 primary sampling units, physicians/ hospitals, patient medical records) random sample of 1,702 visits by patients 20 years or older with cerebrovascular disease (national estimate: 15.4 million annual visits). Dependent variable: use of antiplatelet agents for patients without contraindications.
  
  
  METHODS
  age, sex, race/ethnicity, payment, primary care provider, prior visits in last year, comorbidities. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations with recommended interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antiplatelet agents were prescribed at 31.1% of visits. Positive predictors: seeing the patient's primary care provider and having five or more comorbidities. Negative predictors: non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity and having six or more prior visits in the last year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Variations by visit characteristics suggest that improvement in using antiplatelet agents is possible, especially for non-Hispanic Black patients.
authors: National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA. RNiska@cdc.gov
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Niska
authors: Beth
authors: B
authors: Han
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors