BACKGROUND: Only a restricted number of population studies based on long-term prognosis after a stroke have been published. We analyzed long-term survival and outcome in insular first-ever stroke population from the Aeolian Archipelago. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From 1 July, 1999 to 30 June 2002, 62 patients with first-ever stroke were recruited to evaluate short-term incidence and outcome. Information for every patient was collected by phone interviews after 3 months, 1 year, and 4 years. RESULTS: 30 days case fatality rate was 24.2% (95% C.I. 14.22 to 36.75). Fifty-one percent (95% C.I. 35.8 to 66.3) of patients died before last survey and 39.1% died during the first year of follow-up. Annual approximate death risk amounted to about 10%. The cerebrovascular causes were the most frequent causes of death (65.2%). A high level of invalidity at 4 years was present in many survivors (40%). None of the deceased had followed physio-kinesitherapy, or applied for equipment or services. CONCLUSION: More attentive medical care for stroke patients could help improve outcome, reducing mortality for patients from the Aeolian island, who already showed a low incidence.
BACKGROUND: Only a restricted number of population studies based on long-term prognosis after a stroke have been published. We analyzed long-term survival and outcome in insular first-ever stroke population from the Aeolian Archipelago. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From 1 July, 1999 to 30 June 2002, 62 patients with first-ever stroke were recruited to evaluate short-term incidence and outcome. Information for every patient was collected by phone interviews after 3 months, 1 year, and 4 years. RESULTS: 30 days case fatality rate was 24.2% (95% C.I. 14.22 to 36.75). Fifty-one percent (95% C.I. 35.8 to 66.3) of patients died before last survey and 39.1% died during the first year of follow-up. Annual approximate death risk amounted to about 10%. The cerebrovascular causes were the most frequent causes of death (65.2%). A high level of invalidity at 4 years was present in many survivors (40%). None of the deceased had followed physio-kinesitherapy, or applied for equipment or services. CONCLUSION: More attentive medical care for strokepatients could help improve outcome, reducing mortality for patients from the Aeolian island, who already showed a low incidence.
Authors: Rosa Musolino; Paolino La Spina; Salvatore Serra; Paolo Postorino; Salvatore Calabró; Rodolfo Savica; Giovanni Salemi; Giuseppe Gallitto Journal: Stroke Date: 2005-11-10 Impact factor: 7.914
Authors: G J Hankey; K Jamrozik; R J Broadhurst; S Forbes; P W Burvill; C S Anderson; E G Stewart-Wynne Journal: Stroke Date: 2000-09 Impact factor: 7.914