Emergency perception and other variables associated with extra-hospital delay in stroke patients in the Maresme region (Spain).

Delay in arrival to the emergency room (ER) may negatively influence outcome of stroke patients. We aim to analyze factors that influence extra-hospital delay in stroke patients. Two hundred and ninety-two consecutive stroke patients admitted in the ER were prospectively studied. Analysis was made to identify variables associated with <1- and <3 h delays from onset. About 18.8% of patients arrived before 1 h and 57.5% before 3 h. Factors independently associated with <3 h delay were decision to go immediately to ER (OR = 8.17; 95% IC = 4.47-18.8), ambulance transportation (OR = 2.35; 1.36-4.05) and total anterior circulation syndrome (TACS) (OR = 3.74; 1.51-9.24). History of >1 vascular risk factor was associated with a greater delay (OR = 0.47; 0.26-0.86). Factors associated with a <1 h delay were: (i) immediate decision to attend the ER (OR = 3.55; 1.85-6.81), (ii) stroke on Sunday (OR = 3.46; 1.56-7.66), (iii) aphasia (OR = 2.41; 1.23-4.74), (iv) absence of stairs at home (OR = 0.37; 0.17-0.81) and (v) absence of diabetes mellitus (OR = 0.42; 0.20-0.88). In our area, nearly 60% of stroke patients arrive to ER before 3 h from onset. Immediate decision to attend the ER has the strongest association with a short delay. Patients with TACS arrived mainly before 3 h and those with isolated aphasia arrived before 1 h. Patients with vascular risk factors attended the hospital later. Ambulance transportation is associated with <3 h delay, but not with <1 h.