Aplicabilidad del índice SPAN-100 en una cohorte prospectiva y contemporánea de pacientes tratados con rtPA por vía intravenosa en Cataluña / Applicability of the SPAN-100 index in a prospective and contemporary cohort of patients treated with intravenous rtPA in Catalonia

Introducción: Las escalas pronósticas pueden ayudar a seleccionar pacientes para tratamientos de reperfusión. Objetivo: aplicar el índice SPAN-100 en una cohorte de pacientes tratados con rtPA por vía intravenosa y evaluar su capacidad pronóstica. Métodos: Se utilizaron datos del registro prospectivo de reperfusión de Cataluña y se seleccionaron casos consecutivos que recibieron rtPA por vía intravenosa aislado en 2011-2012. A partir del sumatorio de edad y NIHSS se categorizó la cohorte en SPAN-100 positivos [≥ 100] y SPAN-100 negativos [< 100 puntos]. Se determinaron las tasas crudas y ajustadas de hemorragia sintomática (HICS), muerte e independencia funcional (ERm 0-2) a partir del índice SPAN-100 y se calculó la curva ROC para la predicción de las principales medidas de resultado. Resultados: De los 1.685 casos incluidos, 1.405 (83%) eran SPAN-100 negativos. La tasa de HICS ajustada por sexo, ERm preictus, hipertensión, diabetes, dislipemia, cardiopatía isquémica, insuficiencia cardíaca, fibrilación auricular, ictus/AIT previos y tiempo hasta la trombólisis no fue diferente según las dos categorías pero la probabilidad de tener una ERm 0-2 al 3.er mes fue hasta casi 8 veces mayor entre los SPAN-100 negativos. El riesgo de muerte al 3.er mes fue 5 veces superior en los SPAN-100 positivos. El análisis ROC mostró especificidades altas tanto en la predicción de independencia funcional como mortalidad al 3.er mes cuando el punto de corte era de 100. Conclusiones: El índice SPAN-100 es un índice sencillo y de fácil aplicación que puede guiar la selección de pacientes para trombólisis cuando existen dudas razonables y asesorar al paciente/familia acerca de los resultados esperables

Background: Prognostic scales can be helpful for selecting patients for reperfusion treatment. This study aims to assess the prognostic ability of the recently published SPAN-100 index in a large cohort of stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IV rtPA). Methods: Using data from the prospective registery of all reperfusion treatments administered in Catalonia, we selected patients treated with IV rtPA alone between 2011 and 2012. The SPAN-100 index was calculated as the sum of age (years) and NIHSS score, and patients in the cohort were classified as SPAN-100 positive [≥ 100] or SPAN-100 negative [< 100]. We measured raw and adjusted rates of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (SICH), mortality, and 3-month functional outcome (mRS 0-2) for each SPAN-100 category. Area under the ROC curve was calculated to predict the main outcome measures. Results: We studied 1685 rtPA-treated patients, of whom 1405 (83%) were SPAN-100 negative. The SICH rates adjusted for sex, pre-stroke mRS, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, prior TIA/stroke and time to thrombolysis did not differ between groups, but likelihood of functional independence (mRS 0-2) at 3 months was nearly 8 times higher in the SPAN-100 negative group than in the positive group. Furthermore, the 3-month mortality rate was 5 times higher in the SPAN-100 positive group. ROC curve analysis showed high specificities for predicting both functional independence and 3-month mortality for a cut-off point of 100. Conclusion: The SPAN-100 index is a simple and straightforward method that may be useful for selecting candidates for rtPA treatment in doubtful cases, and for informing patients and their relatives about likely outcomes

Applicability of the SPAN-100 index in a prospective and contemporary cohort of patients treated with intravenous rtPA in Catalonia. / Aplicabilidad del índice SPAN-100 en una cohorte prospectiva y contemporánea de pacientes tratados con rtPA por vía intravenosa en Cataluña.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic scales can be helpful for selecting patients for reperfusion treatment. This study aims to assess the prognostic ability of the recently published SPAN-100 index in a large cohort of stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IV rtPA). METHODS: Using data from the prospective registery of all reperfusion treatments administered in Catalonia, we selected patients treated with IV rtPA alone between 2011 and 2012. The SPAN-100 index was calculated as the sum of age (years) and NIHSS score, and patients in the cohort were classified as SPAN-100 positive [≥ 100] or SPAN-100 negative [< 100]. We measured raw and adjusted rates of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (SICH), mortality, and 3-month functional outcome (mRS 0-2) for each SPAN-100 category. Area under the ROC curve was calculated to predict the main outcome measures. RESULTS: We studied 1685 rtPA-treated patients, of whom 1405 (83%) were SPAN-100 negative. The SICH rates adjusted for sex, pre-stroke mRS, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, prior TIA/stroke and time to thrombolysis did not differ between groups, but likelihood of functional independence (mRS 0-2) at 3 months was nearly 8 times higher in the SPAN-100 negative group than in the positive group. Furthermore, the 3-month mortality rate was 5 times higher in the SPAN-100 positive group. ROC curve analysis showed high specificities for predicting both functional independence and 3-month mortality for a cut-off point of 100. CONCLUSION: The SPAN-100 index is a simple and straightforward method that may be useful for selecting candidates for rtPA treatment in doubtful cases, and for informing patients and their relatives about likely outcomes.

Priorización de indicadores de calidad de la atención al paciente con ictus a partir de un método de consenso / Prioritization of performance measures for assessment of hospital-based stroke care quality through a consensus method

Objetivos. Definir un conjunto básico de indicadores de calidad de la atención hospitalaria del paciente con ictus, basados en la evidencia científica, a partir de la priorización consensuada por un panel de expertos representativo de los profesionales que realizan la atención hospitalaria en tres comunidades autónomas (Cataluña, Aragón y Baleares). Material y método. Un panel de 56 expertos, implicados en la atención hospitalaria de los pacientes con ictus, priorizaron mediante un método Delphi modificado en dos vueltas un set de indicadores de calidad de entre 70 indicadores identificados en la revisión de la literatura y utilizados en experiencias previas. Se consideró el consenso cuando el 75% o más de los panelistas puntuaron el indicador en el mismo tercil, en una escala de Likert 1-9. Resultados. El conjunto final de 29 indicadores comprende los mejor puntuados representativos de todas las áreas de atención hospitalaria. Un subgrupo de 5 indicadores es de aplicación únicamente en los Centros de Referencia de Ictus (Primary Stroke Centers, PSC). Los tres indicadores mejor puntuados y con el mayor consenso de los expertos son anticoagulación en la FA, antitrombóticos al alta y fisioterapia al alta gestionada. Conclusiones. A partir del método Delphi, se ha obtenido un set de indicadores actualizados, apoyados por la evidencia científica, considerados de elevada importancia y consensuados por los expertos que realizan la atención hospitalaria a los pacientes con ictus de los territorios participantes, que representan alrededor del 20% de la población española(AU)

Objectives. To define a core set of evidence-based performance indicators (PIs) for the assessment of in-hospital stroke care quality by means of consensus prioritisation by a panel of experts representing stroke care professionals in three Autonomous Communities (Catalonia, Aragon and Balearic Islands). Material and methods. We used a modified Delphi method in two rounds to prioritise a set of PIs from among 70 indicators identified by a review of the literature and those already used in previous experiences. Consensus on validity was reached when >=75% of panellists rated a PI in the top tertile, using a 1-9 Likert scale. On the basis of the percentage distribution of annual stroke admissions in each one of the 3 regions, we configured a multidisciplinary panel of 56 experts involved in the hospital care of acute stroke patients. Results. Twenty-nine out of the 70 PIs initially put forward to the panel, have been prioritised after 2 rounds. The eventual core set of PIs consists of those with the highest scores and represent all areas of hospital-based stroke care. A subgroup of 5 PIs is applicable to Primary Stroke Centres only. The 3 highest rated PIs, which achieved the greatest consensus among the experts, are anticoagulants for AF, antithrombotics at discharge and continued physiotherapy planned at discharge. Conclusions. Through a Delphi method, we have obtained a core set of evidence-based PIs considered of high importance and agreed by a multidisciplinary panel of stroke care experts from the participating Communities, which represent over 20% of the Spanish population(AU)

[Prioritization of performance measures for assessment of hospital-based stroke care quality through a consensus method]. / Priorización de indicadores de calidad de la atención al paciente con ictus a partir de un método de consenso.

OBJECTIVES: To define a core set of evidence-based performance indicators (PIs) for the assessment of in-hospital stroke care quality by means of consensus prioritization by a panel of experts representing stroke care professionals in three Autonomous Communities (Catalonia, Aragon and Balearic Islands). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used a modified Delphi method in two rounds to prioritize a set of PIs from among 70 indicators identified by a review of the literature and those already used in previous experiences. Consensus on validity was reached when ≥ 75% of panellists rated a PI in the top tertile, using a 1-9 Likert scale. On the basis of the percentage distribution of annual stroke admissions in each one of the 3 regions, we configured a multidisciplinary panel of 56 experts involved in the hospital care of acute stroke patients. RESULTS: Twenty-nine out of the 70 PIs initially put forward to the panel, have been prioritized after 2 rounds. The eventual core set of PIs consists of those with the highest scores and represent all areas of hospital-based stroke care. A subgroup of 5 PIs is applicable to Primary Stroke Centres only. The 3 highest rated PIs, which achieved the greatest consensus among the experts, are anticoagulants for AF, antithrombotics at discharge and continued physiotherapy planned at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Through a Delphi method, we have obtained a core set of evidence-based PIs considered of high importance and agreed by a multidisciplinary panel of stroke care experts from the participating Communities, which represent over 20% of the Spanish population.

Patient-related features associated with a delay in seeking care after stroke.

BACKGROUND: Different factors may weight on time from stroke onset to hospital arrival, and patients' alert certainly contributes to it. We sought to identify clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with a delayed alert and to delineate the profile of the potential latecomer in Catalonia (Spain). METHODS: We used data from the Stroke Code (SC) registry that prospectively recruited consecutive patients with acute stroke, in whom SC was activated (SCA) or not (SCNA), admitted to all Catalan hospitals. Additionally, SCNA patients underwent a structured interview to explore additional beliefs and attitudes related to a delayed alert. We applied a 6-h cut-off to define alert delay according to the time limit for SC activation in Catalonia. We determined independent predictors of delay amongst clinical and sociodemographic data by multivariate logistic regression and applied sample weighting because of different study periods in the SCA and SCNA arms. RESULTS: Of the patients, 37.2% delayed alert beyond 6 h. Compared to non-delayers, latecomers were more likely diabetics, illiterates, belonged to an unfavored social class, and were living alone. Fewer had concomitant atrial fibrillation and alerted through emergency medical service (EMS)/112 whilst suffering a mild or moderate stroke. Amongst patients interviewed, being unaware of stroke's vascular nature and erroneously self-perceiving stroke as a reversible or irrelevant condition independently predicted a longer delay. CONCLUSIONS: Delaying alert after stroke shows a multifactorial background with implication of pre-stroke health status, socioeconomic factors, stroke-related features and patients' beliefs and attitudes toward the disease. In planning future educational campaigns, all these features should be considered.

Rifampicin in tuberculous meningitis: a retrospective assessment.

To shed some light on the potential value of rifampicin in the treatment of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in adults, a retrospective analysis has been made of 143 medical records from 4 hospitals for the period 1967-80. Treatment of TBM with rifampicin and other antituberculous drugs in combination (Group B) was compared to other regimes which did not include rifampicin (Group A). There were 64 patients in Group B and 79 in Group A. The two groups of patients did not differ significantly in their prognostic characteristics. The total mortality was 14.7%: it was higher among patients not treated with rifampicin (24%; Group A) than amongst those given rifampicin (3.1%; Group B; chi 2 = 10.74; p less than 0.005). The difference was also statistically significant (chi 2 = 6.88; p less than 0.01) if patients who died during the first 48 h after the institution of treatment were excluded. No significant difference in mortality rate was found when patients treated with rifampicin plus isoniazid (INH) 8-10 mg/kg (1 death out of 41 patients) were compared to patients treated with INH 15 mg/kg (2 deaths out of 20 patients). Neurological sequelae recorded during a 6 month follow-up period were more severe among patients not treated with rifampicin.