Health disparities along the rural-urban spectrum are a growing concern. The objective of this study was to determine whether in France, clinical profile, care and outcome after ischemic stroke differed between patients affiliated to the statutory health insurance system dedicated to the agricultural economic sector (i.e., Mutualité Sociale Agricole [MSA]) and all other patients.

Data on all patients aged≥20 years hospitalized for ischemic stroke in mainland France in 2018 were extracted from the French National Health Insurance Data System. Age-standardized percentages were used to compare the care accessed by MSA versus other stroke patients. Associations between health insurance scheme and case fatality were assessed using Poisson regression.

Of 87,864 stroke cases 7928 (9%) were MSA patients. MSA patients were more often rural dwellers (75.4 versus 32%) and older (median age: 84 versus 76 years). In the 12 months prior to the stroke, access to general practitioner (GP) was similar, but MSA patients were less likely to have an appointment with a cardiologist. Pre-stroke drug prescriptions suggested a better cardiovascular profile in male MSA patients (e.g., antidiabetics: 18.1 versus 21.5%). A part from a lower access to stroke unit (e.g., women: 55.3 versus 59%) other acute care indicators, including reperfusion therapy, were comparable. The crude 7-day case fatality was higher for MSA patients (Relative Risk [RR]: 1.44, 95% CI [1.32–1.57]), but this disadvantage reduced to non-significant level after adjustment for age, comorbidities and stroke management (adjusted RR: 1.07 95% CI [0.98–1.18])

For the mostly farming, rural, MSA population, pre-stroke, acute and post-stroke care did not differ markedly from that provided to other patients. The lower density of GP in rural areas and the remoteness from specialized center did not result in less access to preventive and acute stroke care for MSA patients in 2018.