Oral Presentation Asia Pacific Stroke Conference 2024

Baseline Participant Characteristics in the PERsonalised Knowledge to reduce the risk of Stroke (PERKS-International) randomised controlled trial: Cross-Country Comparison (107353)

Shabnam Jalili-Moghaddam 1 , Rita Krishnamurthi 1 , Valery Feigin 1 , Amanda Thrift 2 , Timothy J. Kleinig 3 4 , Dominique Cadilhac 5 , Derrick A. Bennett 6 , Mark Nelson 7 , Tara Purvis 5 , Gemma Kitsos 7 , Seana Gall 7
  1. The National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
  2. Epidemiology and Prevention Unit, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
  3. Department of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  4. Department of Neurology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  5. Translational Public Health and Evaluation Division, Stroke and Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
  6. Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
  7. Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Background and Aim: Most strokes can be often prevented by managing modifiable risk factors. Our aim is to provide an overview of participant characteristics in a trial of personalized advice to reduce their risk of stroke.

Methods: PERKS-International trial conducted across Australia and New Zealand (NZ) assessed whether the use of Stroke Riskometer™ mobile-app improves stroke risk factors at 6months post-randomisation. Eligible participants were stroke-free, aged 35-75yrs, with ≥2 modifiable risk factors; owned a smartphone. An online survey gathered information on medical history, smoking, diet, and physical activity (PA). Descriptive statistics compared participant characteristics at screening in Australia and New Zealand.

Results: Among 775 participants, 51% were from NZ, median age 60years; 63% women. The sex distribution was similar but median age differed significantly between Australia and NZ (56 vs 63 years). Prevalence of high BP and cholesterol were similar in Australia and NZ. A higher percentage of participants in NZ have diabetes (32.7%) compared to those in Australia (18.5%). NZ participants also had a higher mean BMI compared to Australian participants. Only 28% consumed ≥5servings/day of fruit and vegetables with median daily consumption higher in Australian than NZ (4 vs 3 servings). Approximately 37% and 16% of participants engaged in ≥150min/week of moderate/ vigorous PA, respectively and most were non-smokers with no significant differences in these behaviours between the two countries.

Conclusions: The study reveals health disparities between Australian and New Zealand participants. These findings underscore the importance of lifestyle interventions to improve chronic disease management within the community.