ABSTRACT NUMBER: ESOC2026A1565 ANALYSIS OF THE RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN THE PREVALENCE OF RISK FACTORS AT STROKE ONSET IN ITALY: A PROSPECTIVE, MULTICENTRIC STUDY ON 2402 PATIENTS

Abstract Background and aims Risk factors for Ischemic Stroke (IS) and adherence to primary prevention strategies may differ substantially across racial/ethnic groups. However, available evidence derives from the USA, where the racial/ethnic composition differs from that of Europe. The primary aim of our study was to investigate racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence of stroke risk factors and primary prevention therapies in Italy. Methods Consecutive adult patients with IS presenting to 14 Italian stroke centers between October 2024 and November 2025 were prospectively enrolled. Based on self-reported race/ethnicity, patients were classified as White or non-White. Outcomes were the prevalence of stroke risk factors and preventive therapies in use at stroke onset. The Mann-Whitney U-test and χ2-test were used for statistical comparisons. To identify independent associations between race/ethnicity and stroke risk factors, multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for sex and age were performed. Results Overall, 2402 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 2257 were Whites (94.0%). Compared with White patients, non-White patients were younger (62.9±16.7 vs 74.1±13.9 years; p<0.001) and less frequently women (33.8% vs 47.2%, p=0.002). Cardiopathy (p=0.037), dyslipidaemia (p=0.016), and atrial fibrillation (p=0.001) were more prevalent among White patients, whereas non-White patients more frequently reported no ongoing therapy at admission (p<0.001). However, after adjustment for age and sex, White race was not independently associated with any of these factors. Conclusions Non-White patients experience ischemic stroke at a younger age than White patients, potentially reflecting earlier exposure to cardiovascular risk factors and lower awareness of them and their management. Conflict of interest Nothing to disclose