Does the level of socioeconomic deprivation at the location of cardiac arrest in an English region influence the likelihood of receiving bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation?

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of mortality. Administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by a bystander witnessing a cardiac arrest has been shown to increase the likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation and survival. This study analyses the association between the socioeconomic status of the location where a person suffers a cardiac arrest and the proportion of victims with OHCA receiving bystander CPR. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all OHCAs occurring in North East England from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011: data obtained from the North East Cardiac Arrest Network Registry. Results: Of 3179 OHCAs with an attempt at resuscitation, 623 patients received bystander-initiated CPR (19.6%). From quintile (Q) 1 to Q5 (most deprived to least deprived), bystander-initiated CPR rates increased from 14.5% to 23.3% (p for trend