Call to Action for Enhanced Equity: Racial/Ethnic Diversity and Sex Differences in Stroke Symptoms

BackgroundFundamental aspects of human identity may play a role in the presentation of stroke symptoms and, consequently, stroke recognition. Strokes must be recognized and treated expeditiously, as delays result in poorer outcomes. It is known that sex plays a role in the presentation of symptoms,...

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Main Authors: Floortje L. Hosman, Sabine Engels, Hester M. den Ruijter, Lieza G. Exalto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2022.874239/full
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author Floortje L. Hosman
Sabine Engels
Hester M. den Ruijter
Lieza G. Exalto
author_facet Floortje L. Hosman
Sabine Engels
Hester M. den Ruijter
Lieza G. Exalto
author_sort Floortje L. Hosman
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundFundamental aspects of human identity may play a role in the presentation of stroke symptoms and, consequently, stroke recognition. Strokes must be recognized and treated expeditiously, as delays result in poorer outcomes. It is known that sex plays a role in the presentation of symptoms, such that non-traditional symptoms are more commonly observed among women. However, factors such as geographical location and race/ethnicity, and the interactions between these various factors, need to be considered. This will provide an intersectional approach.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was conducted to investigate differences in the presentation of stroke symptoms between sexes. Using PubMed and Embase, a search involving the components sex, symptoms and stroke was completed and yielded 26 full-text manuscripts.ResultsOur findings indicate that there is substantial overlap in stroke symptom presentation in men and women. Nonetheless, some differences in the clinical manifestations of stroke were observed. In addition, it was discovered that only three studies were conducted outside of North America and Europe. Furthermore, only two studies reported symptoms based on both sex and racial/ethnic group.ConclusionThese findings indicate a research gap and call for increased research in order to uncover the possible interactions between sex and race/ethnicity in an intersectional approach. Resultantly, stroke recognition could be improved and greater equity in healthcare can be achieved.
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spelling doaj.art-a36d090de8994a6da682a231dfffbdd72022-12-22T00:34:33ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine2297-055X2022-05-01910.3389/fcvm.2022.874239874239Call to Action for Enhanced Equity: Racial/Ethnic Diversity and Sex Differences in Stroke SymptomsFloortje L. Hosman0Sabine Engels1Hester M. den Ruijter2Lieza G. Exalto3Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, NetherlandsDepartment of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, NetherlandsLaboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, NetherlandsDepartment of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, NetherlandsBackgroundFundamental aspects of human identity may play a role in the presentation of stroke symptoms and, consequently, stroke recognition. Strokes must be recognized and treated expeditiously, as delays result in poorer outcomes. It is known that sex plays a role in the presentation of symptoms, such that non-traditional symptoms are more commonly observed among women. However, factors such as geographical location and race/ethnicity, and the interactions between these various factors, need to be considered. This will provide an intersectional approach.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was conducted to investigate differences in the presentation of stroke symptoms between sexes. Using PubMed and Embase, a search involving the components sex, symptoms and stroke was completed and yielded 26 full-text manuscripts.ResultsOur findings indicate that there is substantial overlap in stroke symptom presentation in men and women. Nonetheless, some differences in the clinical manifestations of stroke were observed. In addition, it was discovered that only three studies were conducted outside of North America and Europe. Furthermore, only two studies reported symptoms based on both sex and racial/ethnic group.ConclusionThese findings indicate a research gap and call for increased research in order to uncover the possible interactions between sex and race/ethnicity in an intersectional approach. Resultantly, stroke recognition could be improved and greater equity in healthcare can be achieved.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2022.874239/fullstrokesexintersectionalityethnic diversitysymptoms
spellingShingle Floortje L. Hosman
Sabine Engels
Hester M. den Ruijter
Lieza G. Exalto
Call to Action for Enhanced Equity: Racial/Ethnic Diversity and Sex Differences in Stroke Symptoms
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
stroke
sex
intersectionality
ethnic diversity
symptoms
title Call to Action for Enhanced Equity: Racial/Ethnic Diversity and Sex Differences in Stroke Symptoms
title_full Call to Action for Enhanced Equity: Racial/Ethnic Diversity and Sex Differences in Stroke Symptoms
title_fullStr Call to Action for Enhanced Equity: Racial/Ethnic Diversity and Sex Differences in Stroke Symptoms
title_full_unstemmed Call to Action for Enhanced Equity: Racial/Ethnic Diversity and Sex Differences in Stroke Symptoms
title_short Call to Action for Enhanced Equity: Racial/Ethnic Diversity and Sex Differences in Stroke Symptoms
title_sort call to action for enhanced equity racial ethnic diversity and sex differences in stroke symptoms
topic stroke
sex
intersectionality
ethnic diversity
symptoms
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2022.874239/full
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AT sabineengels calltoactionforenhancedequityracialethnicdiversityandsexdifferencesinstrokesymptoms
AT hestermdenruijter calltoactionforenhancedequityracialethnicdiversityandsexdifferencesinstrokesymptoms
AT liezagexalto calltoactionforenhancedequityracialethnicdiversityandsexdifferencesinstrokesymptoms