ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate awareness and response to stroke among the general public. Materials and Methods In this prospective, observational study, self-reported stroke awareness questionnaire was administered in 2000 consecutive participants who visited outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital. For data analysis, comparison included for awareness of stroke and response in case of stroke. Results The average age of the study participants was 39.64 ± 15.55 (17-85), with 651(32.6%) women. Among the respondents, 786(39.3%) participants mentioned stroke as blood clot in the brain; 268(13.4%) stated it as brain hemorrhage. Awareness of stroke was higher in people in cities (71.0 vs. 8.5%; p < 0.001) and graduates (75.3 vs. 60.9%; p < 0.001) or knew a family member or friend who had stroke (42.7 vs. 30.4%; p < 0.001). Most commonly recognized risk factors included stress (1,152; 57.6%) and hypertension (1,148; 57.4%). Most identified warning sign was weakness of one side of body (807; 40.4%) and speech impairment (658; 32.9%). Participants who were aware of stroke knew a greater number of risk factors (3.75 ± 2.88 vs. 2.45 ± 2.66; p < 0.001) and warning signs (2.85 ± 2.25 vs. 1.49 ± 1.41; p <0.001). Among 1,138 participants who were aware of stroke, 166 (14.6%) participants knew one correct response in case of a stroke, either call a doctor (49.3 vs. 35.0%; p <0.001) or call an ambulance (41.1 vs. 34.9%; p = 0.055). Participants who knew one correct response to stroke had at least a family member/friend who had stroke (44.1 vs. 34.3%; p < 0.022). Conclusion We report that among 56.9% of the participants who were aware of stroke most could not name more than four risk factors or three warning signs of stroke. Only 14.6% of those aware of stroke knew appropriate response to stroke.
ABSTRACT
We aimed to evaluate the determinants of outcome in new onset refractory status epilepticus (SE). A retrospective analysis of patients with new onset SE admitted between May 2005 and October 2013 was performed. Regression analysis was used to determine factors that affect progression of new onset SE to refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and mortality. Among 114 patients with new onset SE, 52 patients progressed to RSE. Sixty seven (58.7%) were men. New onset RSE patients were younger than new onset SE patients (mean 35.9 ± standard deviation18.2 versus 28.7 ± 20.2 years; p=0.050). Cryptogenic aetiology was the most significant determinant of progression of new onset SE to RSE (Exp [ß]=5.68; p=0.001). The overall mortality in the entire group was 23.7%, significantly higher in new onset RSE group (40.4% versus 9.7%; p<0.0001). New onset RSE patients with symptomatic and cryptogenic etiology did not differ for clinical characteristics and outcome. Acidosis was the strongest predictor of mortality in the entire cohort (Exp [ß]=8.72; p=0.005). Nearly half of the patients with new onset SE progressed to RSE. While cryptogenic aetiology determined progression of new onset SE to RSE, acidosis was associated with mortality. The outcome was similar between symptomatic and cryptogenic new onset RSE.
