Validity of stroke severity assessment using medical records in a population-based cohort

Initial stroke severity is an important prognostic factor for outcome after acute stroke, in terms of functional dependency, post-stroke dementia, and mortality.1,2 Whilst the majority of stroke patients who are admitted to the hospital with stroke have substantial neurological deficits, over half of all strokes that occur in the population qualify as minor stroke,3 and are managed often in outpatient care.4 Given the important differences between minor and major stroke in prognosis and management, it is important to distinguish patients on the basis of stroke severity, but assessment outside of specialised stroke centres is often hampered by lack of detailed recordings in medical records.
Source: Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases - Category: Neurology Authors: Source Type: research