Follow-up of patients with stroke

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the commonest cause of adult disability. Information about the long-term outcome following a stroke is important for planning rehabilitation services. No long-term follow up studies looking at prognosis are available from Sri Lanka. Aims: To study the follow up pattern of a cohort of stroke patients admitted to hospital. METHODS: We planned a follow up assessment of all first-ever stroke patients admitted to the University Medical Unit in the North Colombo Teaching Hospital. This is an on-going study and was started on August 15, 2001. Validated Rankin Disability scale was used to grade the disability of patients at the time of discharge, and at follow-up. Follow-up defaulters were contacted by telephone or letter. This paper presents the data on the follow-up of the first 100 patients. RESULTS: During the period between August 15, 2001 and November 15, 2002, 152 patients with stroke were admitted. Of the first 100 patients all have completed six months after the stroke and of them 14 have died, and 58 have attended the six-month follow up with 28 defaulting. At discharge from hospital 34 were having minor or no disability (group 1) and 61 were having moderate or severe disability (group 2). Of the. 58 who attended the six-month follow up 44 were in group 1 and 14 were in group 2. Of the defaulters 7 were in group 1 and 21 were in group 2. Six-month follow-up rate was 72%. CONCLUSIONS: Follow up rate was inadequate despite incentives given to attend. 14 of the patients came for follow up despite a severe disability. Of the 28 defaulters 21 had a severe disability at discharge and only six were from remote areas. Reason for default is not clear from our study.