Stroke in patients aged over 75 years: outcome and predictors

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Stroke rehabilitation is crucial for elderly patients.
• Outcomes vary significantly, necessitating identification of predictors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively investigate stroke rehabilitation outcomes in geriatric patients.
• To identify predictors of mortality, home discharge, and long-term care needs.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 96 elderly stroke patients admitted to geriatric wards.
• Data collected on patient demographics, neurological status, and functional scores.
• Outcomes assessed included mortality, home discharge, and need for long-term care.

Main Results:

• 33% died (median survival 11 days), 54% returned home (median stay 69 days), 13% required long-term care (median stay 164 days).
• Early death correlated with lower consciousness, greater neurological deficit, and lower prestroke Barthel scores.
• Favorable discharge home was associated with right-sided hemiparesis, good motor power, and absence of sensory deficit/inattention.

Conclusions:

• Early predictors of mortality and discharge success in elderly stroke patients were identified.
• Factors like awareness of deficit, hemianopia, and incontinence at two weeks impacted home discharge.
• Low Barthel and Mental Test Scores at two weeks predicted the need for long-term care.