Variability in the use of neuroimaging techniques for diagnosis and follow-up of stroke patients

Publication date: Available online 14 January 2019Source: Neurología (English Edition)Author(s): C. Valcárcel-Nazco, D. Alonso-Modino, F. Montón-Álvarez, R. Sabatel-Hernández, M.S. Pastor-Santoveña, P. Mesa-Blanco, J.C. López-Fernández, P. Serrano-AguilarAbstractIntroduction and objectiveImaging diagnosis is essential for treatment planning in stroke patients. However, use of these techniques varies due to uncertainty about their effectiveness. Our purpose was to describe the use of CT and MRI in stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) over 5 years in hospitals belonging to the Canary Islands Health Service and analyse interhospital variability based on routinely collected administrative data.Patients and methodWe gathered the minimum basic dataset (MBDS) from patients diagnosed with stroke or TIA between 2005 and 2010 in 4 hospitals. Patients’ age, sex, procedures, secondary diagnoses, and duration of hospital stay were also recorded.We conducted a descriptive analysis of patient characteristics and a bivariate analysis using the t test and the chi square test to detect differences between patients assessed and not assessed with MRI. Logistic regression was used to analyse unequal access to MRI.Results and conclusionsOur study included 10 487 patients (8571 with stroke and 1916 with TIA). The percentage of stroke patients undergoing a CT scan increased from 89.47% in 2005 to 91.50% in 2010. In these patients, use of MRI also increased from 25.41% in 2005 t...
Source: Neurologia - Category: Neurology Source Type: research