Factors delaying hospital admission in acute stroke: the Copenhagen Stroke Study

Medical treatment of stroke is dependent on a narrow therapeutic time window. We prospectively analyzed the influence of demographic, medical, and pathophysiologic factors on admission delay in 1,197 unselected, acute stroke patients. Twenty five percent were admitted within 3 1/2 hours, 35% within 6 hours, 50% within 14 hours, and 68% within 24 hours after stroke onset. Living alone (odds ratio [OR] 1.75, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.3) and retired working status (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.54) delayed admission. A well-working social network thus seems important to early admission. The milder the stroke, the higher was the risk of delayed admission (OR 1.25 per 10 points decrease in stroke severity [Scandinavian Neurological Stroke Scale score on admission], 95% CI 1.14 to 1.36). A history of TIA increased the relative chance of early admission by odds 1.64 (95% CI 1.06 to 2.54). Other factors such as age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, other comorbidity, previous stroke, headache, aphasia, apraxia, anosognosia, neglect, lowered consciousness, mental status (Mini-Mental State Examination) and type of stroke (hemorrhage/infarct) had no independent influence on admission time. Admission was markedly delayed in most patients. This represents a major barrier to medical treatment. Patients with the most severe strokes are admitted early, but patients with milder symptoms should also be encouraged to seek immediate admission. The observation that a history of TIA reduced admission time indicates that an increase in public awareness and knowledge may reduce delay and save precious time.