Table 1

Baseline characteristics of stroke patients with and without acupuncture treatment

Acupuncture use
No (N=21 020)Yes (N=21 020)
n (%)n (%)p Value
Female9272 (44.1)9272 (44.1)1.0000
Age, years1.0000
 20–2975 (0.4)75 (0.4)
 30–39284 (1.4)284 (1.4)
 40–491878 (8.9)1878 (8.9)
 50–594320 (20.6)4320 (20.6)
 60–697080 (33.7)7080 (33.7)
 70–796311 (30.0)6311 (30.0)
 ≥801072 (5.1)1072 (5.1)
Stroke subtype1.0000
 Haemorrhage1775 (8.4)1775 (8.4)
 Ischaemic12 285 (58.4)12 285 (58.4)
 Other6960 (33.1)6960 (33.1)
Low income184 (0.9)184 (0.9)1.0000
Urbanisation1.0000
 Low582 (2.8)582 (2.8)
 Moderate7247 (34.5)7247 (34.5)
 High13 191 (62.8)13 191 (62.8)
Coexisting medical condition
 Hypertension15 887 (75.6)15 887 (75.6)1.0000
 Mental disorder8144 (38.7)8144 (38.7)1.0000
 Diabetes mellitus8048 (38.3)8048 (38.3)1.0000
 Hyperlipidaemia3403 (16.2)3403 (16.2)1.0000
 Head injury1659 (7.9)1659 (7.9)1.0000
 Parkinson's disease656 (3.1)656 (3.1)1.0000
 Alzheimer's disease13 (0.1)13 (0.1)1.0000
 Brain cancer4 (0.0)4 (0.0)1.0000
 Renal dialysis304 (1.5)304 (1.5)1.0000
Rehabilitation13 803 (46.6)13 803 (46.6)1.0000
Anti-epilepsy drugs6170 (29.4)6170 (29.4)1.0000
Anticoagulant1599 (7.6)1599 (7.6)1.0000
Anti-platelet agents20 016 (95.2)20 016 (95.2)1.0000
Lipid-lowering agents11 307 (53.8)11 307 (53.8)1.0000
ICU stay1412 (6.7)1412 (6.7)1.0000
Neurosurgery318 (1.5)318 (1.5)1.0000
Length of hospital stay, days6.92±5.196.93±5.250.7302
  • ICU, intensive care unit.