[A descriptive study of patients seen in a stroke unit in the Community of Extremadura]

To describe the activity in the stroke unit (SU) of the Hospital de Caceres as well as the demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors in our patients. To determine the patient's functional status at discharge.

A descriptive study of 432 patients admitted consecutively in the SU of the Hospital de Caceres from October, 2008 to May, 2010 was carried out. The different study variables (demographic, risk factors, dependence) were determined and analyzed.

The patient prototype was a 71-year old-man from the rural environment, with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, who had an ischemic stroke. On medical discharge from the stroke unit (SU), the patient had a mild functional dependence, after and average stay of 2.8 days in the SU.

All patients who suffers a stroke should be attended by and benefit from the care provided in a SU. These units are organizational models that improve patient care in the acute phase, this resulting in lower mortality and disability in these patients.