Spatial analysis of ischemic stroke in Spain: the roles of accessibility to healthcare and economic development.

Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality worldwide; however, few studies have been conducted to measure the impact of the distribution of healthcare services on ischemic stroke fatality. This study aimed to explore the relationship between three ischemic stroke outcomes (incidence, mortality, and fatality) and accessibility to hospitals in Spain, considering its economic development. A cross-sectional ecological study was performed using data on hospital admissions and mortality due to ischemic stroke during 2016-2018. Gross geographic product (GGP) per capita was estimated and a healthcare accessibility index was created. A Besag-York-Mollié autoregressive spatial model was used to estimate the magnitude of association between ischemic stroke outcomes and economic development and healthcare accessibility. GGP per capita showed a geographical gradient from southwest to northeast in Spain. Mortality and case-fatality rates due to ischemic stroke were higher in the south of the country in both women and men aged 60+ years. In women and men aged 20-59 years a EUR 1,000 increase in GGP per capita was associated with decreases in mortality of 5% and 4%, respectively. Fatality decreased 3-4% with each EUR 1,000 increase of GGP per capita in both sexes and in the 20-59 and 60+ age groups. Decreased healthcare accessibility was associated with higher fatality in the population aged 60+. Economic development in southwest Spain would not only improve employment opportunities but also reduce ischemic stroke mortality. New health related strategies to improve hospital accessibility should be considered in more sparsely populated regions or those with worse transport and/or healthcare infrastructure.