title: Ethnicity and functional outcome after stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is limited information on the influence of ethnicity on functional outcome after stroke. We examined functional outcomes among European New Zealanders, Māori, Pacific, and Asian people 6 months after stroke in a population-based context.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective incidence and 6-month outcomes study of all new stroke patients (excluding subarachnoid hemorrhage) that occurred over 1 year in a defined geographical area in Auckland, New Zealand, during 2002 to 2003. Ethnicity was self-defined. Outcome measures included the Frenchay Activities Index, 36-item Short Form questionnaire, independence, death, composite of death and dependence, and living situation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Functional measures were available in 1127 patients 6 months after stroke. Frenchay Activities Index scores were associated with ethnicity on both univariable and multivariable analysis, with Asian and Pacific people having worse scores. Physical Component Summary score of the 36-item Short Form was associated with ethnicity on univariable (scores for Pacific, Māori, and Asian people were higher than those for Europeans) but not multivariable analysis. Asian people were less likely to be dead compared to Europeans, and Pacific people were more likely to be dependent on others for help than Europeans. Pacific people were more likely to be dead or dependent than Europeans. Asian and Pacific people were more likely to be living at home than Europeans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ethnicity was associated independently with functional outcomes. The association was attenuated when adjusted for stroke severity and other covariates. The direction of the relationship was not consistent between measures for individual ethnic groups.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, PO Box 7902, Wellington 6242, New Zealand. harry.mcnaughton@mrinz.ac.nz
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McNaughton
authors.forename: Valery
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Feigin
authors.forename: Ngaire
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kerse
authors.forename: P Alan
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weatherall
authors.forename: Derrick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Kristie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hackett
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards