Risk assessment model for endpoints of ischemic stroke: A study protocol for a registry study

Objective: To evaluate the risk of ischemic stroke endpoints by establishing risk assessment models that combine Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and modern medicine indicators.

Methods/design: The proposed study is a registry-based participant survey conducted in seven hospitals nationwide in China. After obtaining informed consent, 3000 patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke will be recruited. One-year follow-ups will be performed on-site in hospitals and by telephone to track endpoint events. Comparative analysis of the prevalence of endpoint events and other TCM or modern medicine features in different groups will be conducted using frequency analysis and X2 tests, and the results will be expressed as composition ratios. Comparative analysis of quantitative scores and related patterns or symptoms will be conducted using a rank-sum test. Correlation analysis of endpoint events and TCM or modern medicine factors will be performed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model.

Discussion: Previous reports have described modern medicine indicator-based risk assessment models for ischemic stroke endpoint events, but no such studies have included TCM features. Our new risk assessment model combines TCM and modern medicine indicators and thus has the potential to facilitate early warning, early intervention, and early control of ischemic stroke endpoint events.