MONDAY, March 12 (HealthDay News) -- Overweight and obese patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke are less likely to be discharged directly home and tend to have longer hospital stays than lean patients, according to a report in the March issue of the Archives of Neurology.
Tannaz Razinia, from the University of California Los Angeles, and colleagues examined discharge outcomes for 451 patients (mean age, 65 years) hospitalized for ischemic stroke.
The researchers found an association between higher body mass index (BMI) and a lower likelihood of being discharged directly home (adjusted odds ratio of 0.42 for BMI of 35 or more versus BMI less than 25). Those with a BMI of 30 or more tended to have longer hospital stays versus those with a BMI less than 25 (6.3 versus 5.2 days). Discharge functional activity was similar regardless of BMI, the report indicates.
"Elevated BMI is associated with a lower likelihood of being discharged home and a trend toward extended hospital stay among patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke," Razinia and colleagues conclude.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
