Background: Stroke is a disease of ageing. We set out to investigate the effect of age on access into acute stroke trials in our comprehensive stroke centre, in terms of study eligibility and consent.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of stroke research screening logs (2019–2025) at The Alfred Hospital. Participants were divided into six age groups (18-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, 81-90 and 91 and over) to compare conversion rates and determine rates of recruitment into stroke research by age groups.
Results: Among 3,367 screened patients with various neurological conditions, including those with a confirmed stroke, only 512 were eligible for stroke trials and 368 (71%) were recruited. Between 10 and 14 acute stroke trials were open at the Alfred during this period. The groups between 61 and 80years old represented the largest number of eligible participants (n=246). By age group, recruitment was most successful in the 61–70 age group (85/115, 75%), 71–80 age group (92/132, 70%) and 51 – 60 age group (62/93, 67%), respectively. The eldest age groups 81-90 (66/105, 63%) and 91 and over (17/28, 61%) had the lowest conversion rate.
Conclusion: Overall recruitment in eligible stroke patients was high at just over 70% with the clinical trial portfolio but lowest in stroke patients aged 80 and over at 62% (83/133). With current demographic trends in Australia, this age group is set to increase, and more study is required to ensure they are represented in future acute stroke research.