The design, rationale, and baseline characteristics of a nationwide cohort registry in China: blood pressure and clinical outcome in TIA or ischemic stroke

Jie Xu,1,2,* Yi Liu,3,* Yongli Tao,4 Xuewei Xie,1,2 Hongqiu Gu,1,2 Yuesong Pan,1,2 Xingquan Zhao,1,2 Yongjun Wang,1,2 Aoshuang Yan,3 Yilong Wang1,21Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 2China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, 3Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 4Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China*These authors contributed equally to this workBackground: The relationship between poststroke blood pressure (BP) and clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke (IS) is still controversial. However, there is no large BP database for IS or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in China. This study aims to describe the rationale, study design, and baseline characteristics of a nationwide BP database in IS or TIA patients in China.Materials and methods: The BOSS (blood pressure and clinical outcome in TIA or ischemic stroke) study was a hospital-based, prospective cohort study aiming to assess BP parameters and clinical outcome in IS/TIA patients. BP parameters were based on office BP, ambulatory BP, and home BP. Clinical outcomes included stroke recurrence, combined vascular events, and disability. Electronic case-report forms were used to record baseline and follow-up data. The patients were followed up for clinical outcomes at 3 months through face-to-face interview and at 12 months by telephone.Results: Between October 2012 and February 2014, the BOSS registry recruited 2,608 patients from 61 hospitals, with a mean age of 62.5 years, 32.4% of whom were female, 88.9% with an entry diagnosis of IS, and 86% diagnosed with hypertension. The rates of patients lost-to-follow-up were 3.1% at 3 months and 5.1% at 1 year; 93% of patients completed ambulatory BP monitoring during hospitalization and 94.7% finished a 3-month BP diary.Conclusion: The BOSS registry will provide important evidence about BP management in the acute phase and secondary prevention for IS/TIA patients. Keywords: blood pressure, ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attac