Neuromyelitis optica in Austria in 2011: to bridge the gap between neuroepidemiological research and practice in a study population of 8.4 million people.

Background: In 2008 the Austrian Task Force for Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) started a nation-wide network for information exchange and multi-centre collaboration. Their aim was to detect all patients with NMO or NMO spectrum disorders (NMO-SD) in Austria and to analyse their disease courses and response to treatment.

Methods: (1) As of March 2008, 1957 serum samples (of 1557 patients) have been tested with an established cell based immunofluorescence aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab) assay with a high sensitivity and specificity (both >95%).

[Worsening in patients treated in acute stroke units--results of the Austrian Stroke Unit Registry].

Up to one-third of patients admitted to a hospital due to an ischemic stroke or a transient ischemic attack show clinical worsening of symptoms in the first hours to days after admission. We analyzed on the basis of a large patient group the frequency of minor or major worsening and the possible predictors for worsening. In the nationwide Austrian Stroke Unit Registry, 11616 patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack and a known NIHSS on admission and discharge from the stroke unit were recorded between March 2003 and February 2007.