Reconocimiento de los síntomas del ictus y respuesta frente a ellos en la población / Knowledge about stroke symptoms and attitude towards them in the population

Introducción. Conocer el significado de los síntomas de un ictus y tener percepción de urgencia ante ellos es un factor decisivo para reducir la demora extrahospitalaria. El objetivo es analizar el grado de reconocimiento de sus síntomas en los pacientes con un ictus, su actitud ante ellos y los factores que influyen en el conocimiento de la enfermedad. Métodos. Se estudian prospectivamente 292 pacientes consecutivos diagnosticados de ictus mediante un protocolo de recogida de datos que incluye 76 variables. Se realiza análisis univariante y multivariante para identificar las variables que se asocian independientemente con una mejor interpretación de sus síntomas y percepción de urgencia. Resultados. Sólo un 34% de pacientes reconoció saber que estaba sufriendo un ictus. El antecedente de ictus previo (OR: 3,97), vivir en una residencia (odds ratio [OR]: 3,20), tener síntomas motores (OR: 1,92) y un ictus más grave (OR: 1,05) se asociaron de forma independiente a un mejor reconocimiento de los síntomas. Sólo un 31,8 % de pacientes (41% de los que reconocieron los síntomas del ictus) decidió acudir inmediatamente al hospital o llamó a una ambulancia. La etiología cardioembólica del infarto (OR: 2,62), no tener hipertensión (OR: 0,48) y reconocer correctamente sus síntomas (OR: 0,62) son factores asociados de forma independiente a una mayor percepción de urgencia. Conclusión. Sólo un 14 % de los pacientes tienen un buen conocimiento del ictus y actúan correctamente cuando éste ocurre. Es necesario desarrollar programas de formación de la población en los que se resalte la urgencia ante la presencia de síntomas sugestivos de ictus (AU)

Introduction. To know the meaning of stroke symptoms and to perceive them as an emergency is a decisive factor to reduce hospital admission delay. The aim of the study is to analyze the degree of recognition of stroke symptoms by the patients, their attitude towards them, and which factors contribute to a better knowledge on cerebrovascular diseases. Methods. A total of 292 patients diagnosed of stroke were studied prospectively, following a protocol designed for data collection that included 76 variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify which variables were independently associated with a better interpretation of stroke symptoms and emergency perception. Results. Only 34% of all patients recognized they were suffering a stroke. The background that was independently associated with a better interpretation of symptoms included previous stroke (odds ratio [OR]: 3.97), institutionalized subjects (old people's home) (OR: 3.20), motor symptoms (OR: 1.92) and more serious stroke (OR: 1.05). Only 31% of all patients, 41% of whom had recognized stroke symptoms, decided to go immediately to hospital or call for an ambulance. Variables that were independently associated with a better perception of emergency included cardioembolic stroke (OR: 2.62), not having hypertension (OR: 0.48) and a correct interpretation of stroke symptoms (OR: 0.62). Conclusion. Only 14% of all patients have a good knowledge about stroke and correctly act when it occurs. It is necessary to develop education programs aimed at the population that emphasize the emergency when symptoms suggesting stroke appear (AU)

[Knowledge about stroke symptoms and attitude towards them in the population]. / Reconocimiento de los síntomas del ictus y respuesta frente a ellos en la población.

INTRODUCTION: To know the meaning of stroke symptoms and to perceive them as an emergency is a decisive factor to reduce hospital admission delay. The aim of the study is to analyze the degree of recognition of stroke symptoms by the patients, their attitude towards them, and which factors contribute to a better knowledge on cerebrovascular diseases. METHODS: A total of 292 patients diagnosed of stroke were studied prospectively, following a protocol designed for data collection that included 76 variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify which variables were independently associated with a better interpretation of stroke symptoms and emergency perception. RESULTS: Only 34% of all patients recognized they were suffering a stroke. The background that was independently associated with a better interpretation of symptoms included previous stroke (odds ratio [OR]: 3.97), institutionalized subjects (old people's home) (OR: 3.20), motor symptoms (OR: 1.92) and more serious stroke (OR: 1.05). Only 31% of all patients, 41% of whom had recognized stroke symptoms, decided to go immediately to hospital or call for an ambulance. Variables that were independently associated with a better perception of emergency included cardioembolic stroke (OR: 2.62), not having hypertension (OR: 0.48) and a correct interpretation of stroke symptoms (OR: 0.62). CONCLUSION: Only 14% of all patients have a good knowledge about stroke and correctly act when it occurs. It is necessary to develop education programs aimed at the population that emphasize the emergency when symptoms suggesting stroke appear.