Clock Drawing Test in acute stroke and its relationship with long-term functional and cognitive outcomes.

The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is commonly used as a screening tool for the assessment of dementia. The association between the CDT in acute stroke and long-term functional and cognitive outcomes in this population is unknown. The present prospective study is the first to examine if CDT scores in the acute stage after stroke are related to long-term outcomes and to compare the predictive ability of two scoring systems in a large sample of stroke patients.

Differences in wake-up and unknown onset stroke examined in a stroke registry.

Introduction: Debate exists as to whether wake-up stroke (WUS) (i.e. symptoms first noted on waking) differs from stroke developing while awake [awake onset stroke (AOS)].

Developing predictive models of excellent and devastating outcome after stroke.

Background: models to predict functional status post-stroke have utility in balancing groups in randomised trials, for outcome comparison between stroke centres and may assist in outcome prediction. This study aimed to develop models of both excellent [modified Rankin score (mRS) 0-1] and devastating outcomes (mRS of 5-6).

Methods: patients admitted with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke in 2001-02 to the Halifax Infirmary, Canada, were enrolled.

Predicting functional outcome after stroke by modelling baseline clinical and CT variables.

Background: we aimed to assess whether the performance of stroke outcome models comprising simple clinical variables could be improved by the addition of more complex clinical variables and information from the first computed tomography (CT) scan.

Methods: 538 consecutive acute ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke patients were enrolled in a Stroke Outcome Study between 2001 and 2002. Independent survival (modified Rankin scale View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Evaluating an organized palliative care approach in patients with severe stroke.

Background: A recent survey found few guidelines on the provision of palliative care following stroke; none examined the efficacy or results of any such process. The role of the patient's family in decision making and in conflicts with staff has not been evaluated. We sought to formally evaluate the use of locally-developed palliative care guidelines on our Acute Stroke Unit (ASU).

Gender differences in stroke examined in a 10-year cohort of patients admitted to a Canadian teaching hospital.

Background And Purpose: Studies suggest that women with stroke are investigated less aggressively and receive tissue plasminogen activator less frequently than men. We tested whether gender differences in the investigation, treatment, and outcome of stroke are due to confounding factors.

Methods: Gender differences in the use of investigations, trial enrollment, treatment with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, and in-hospital outcomes were examined in data from our prospective registry using multivariate analysis to adjust for age, prestroke functional status, stroke subtype and severity, and atrial fibrillation.