Uninsured Patients May Lack Diagnoses for Chronic Diseases That Are Known Stroke Risk Predictors (P2.140)

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine baseline differences in stroke patients according to insurance status. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that lack of insurance can negatively impact stroke clinical outcomes. However, investigation of the relationship between insurance type and demographic/baseline variables has not been well defined. DESIGN/METHODS: Data was collected prospectively for patients admitted to our stroke center (07/08-06/13) under an IRB-approved, de-identified registry. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed based on insurance type (uninsured, Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans Affairs, private, or multiple). RESULTS: Among the 1782 patients who met inclusion criteria, 204 (11.45%) were uninsured and 349 (19.58%) were privately insured. Compared to privately insured patients, more uninsured patients were African American (67.6% vs. 54.4%, p 100 (61.27%, p=0.000) and were no different in incidence of HbA1c >6.5% amongst all insurance types (p=0.592). Further, uninsured patients had the lowest rate of taking at home medications, including home antihypertensives (38.89%, p<0.001), statins (16.67%, p<0.001), hypoglycemic agents (11.06%, p=0.011), and anti-platelets (17.41%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our population, uninsured patients were significantly less likely to have risk factors for stroke based on past medical history. However, the same population had the higher prevalence of systolic hypertension and elevated LDL on admission and were not taking medications at home. Together, this suggests that uninsured patients may lack access to resources needed to diagnose and treat known chronic risk factors for stroke. Disclosure: Dr. Baranwal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Monlezun, Jr has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lanceta has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shaban has nothing to disclose. Dr. George has received research support from Tulane University School of Medicine. Dr. Martin-Schild has nothing to disclose. Dr. El Khoury has nothing to disclose.