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Patients' awareness of stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors
R Kothari1, L Sauerbeck, E Jauch
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Ohio Medical Center 45267-0769, USA. rashmikant.kothari@uc.edu
Background And Purpose:
We sought to determine knowledge at the time of symptom onset regarding the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of stroke in patients presenting to the emergency department with potential stroke.
Methods:
Patients admitted from the emergency department with possible stroke were identified prospectively. A standardized, structured interview with open-ended questions was performed within 48 hours of symptom onset to assess patients' knowledge base concerning stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors.
Results:
Of the 174 eligible patients, 163 patients were able to respond to the interview questions. Of these 163 patients, 39% (63) did not know a single sign or symptom of stroke. Unilateral weakness (26%) and numbness (22%) were the most frequently noted symptoms. Patients aged > or = 65 years were less likely to know a sign or symptom of stroke than those aged < 65 years (percentage not knowing a single sign or symptom, 47% versus 28%, P = .016). Similarly, 43% of patients did not know a single risk factor for stroke. The elderly were less likely to know a risk factor than their younger counterparts.
Conclusions:
Almost 40% of patients admitted with a possible stroke did not know the signs, symptoms, or risk factor of a stroke. Further public education is needed to increase awareness of the warning signs and risk factors of stroke.