Awareness and implementation of three high levels of conjoint management in patients with stroke by neurologists: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey from a tertiary general hospital in Southwest China

Abstract Background: Hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol are risk factors for stroke recurrence, referred to as the three highs, and their management in patients with cerebral infarction can reduce stroke recurrence and death. This study aimed to investigate the cognition and implementation of the three highs by neurologists in tertiary general hospitals in Southwest China. Methods: A self-designed questionnaire was used by neurologists to evaluate the cognition and implementation of the three highs. A cross-sectional questionnaire was used to investigate tertiary hospitals in Southwest China. Results: Compared with inpatient work, approximately 1/3 of the doctors could not always completely evaluate the three highs in outpatient work (P<0.001). The longer the doctors worked, the more they emphasized the importance of the three highs to patients and the more completely they evaluated the three highs. Doctors were more able to develop antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic regimens for patients with cerebral infarction according to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk stratification. Conclusions: Although most neurologists involved in inpatient and outpatient work knew the importance of the three highs, approximately 1/3 of the outpatient doctors could not always completely evaluate the three highs. Some doctors failed to develop antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic regimens for patients with cerebral infarction according to ASCVD risk stratification, and professional training of doctors, especially young doctors, should be encouraged.