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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Computerized Adaptive Testing System of Functional Assessment of Stroke
Published on: January 7, 2019
The Dundee Stroke Register: experience of the first ten years
R S MacWalter1, D R Coid, H W Fraser
1Department of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee. ronm@dth.scot.nhs.uk
Insights
A comprehensive stroke register was established in Dundee, capturing data for 3222 patients by 1998. This largest Scottish stroke database facilitates future clinical research and outcome monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Establishing a comprehensive patient registry is crucial for understanding disease burden.
- Acute stroke represents a significant public health challenge requiring robust data collection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a computerised database and prospective register of all acute stroke patients admitted to Dundee hospitals.
- To collect clinical data at admission and follow-up at one and three years.
Main Methods:
- Prospective survey of clinical data for acute stroke patients (WHO diagnosis, excluding subarachnoid hemorrhage).
- Data collection from January 1988 to December 1998, establishing a computerised database.
- Involved collaboration between NHS, universities, and the private sector.
Main Results:
- Successfully established the Dundee Stroke Register, the largest in Scotland and globally significant.
- Registered 3222 patients by the end of 1998.
- The database required substantial resource investment and inter-sectoral collaboration.
Conclusions:
- The Dundee Stroke Register provides a valuable resource for clinical research and audit studies.
- The register enhances interest in stroke and enables monitoring of patient outcomes.
- This initiative demonstrates successful large-scale data collection for neurological conditions.
Abstract:
The objective to establish a register of all patients admitted to Dundee hospitals with acute stroke has been achieved. To do this a computerised database system has been established and a prospective survey has been conducted of clinical data of patients at time of admission, with follow-up at one and three years. All patients with a WHO diagnosis of acute stroke (excluding patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage), from January 1988 have been recorded. By the end of 1998, 3222 patients had been registered. The Dundee Stroke register database is the largest in Scotland and one of the largest in the world. The establishment of the register and database has required substantial investment of resources and the collaboration of the NHS, universities and the private sector. The operation of the register has heightened interest in stroke. It also provides present and future opportunities for clinical research and audit studies and the monitoring of outcomes.
