Oncology patients' experience of a routine surveillance CT examination: Relationships and communication.

INTRODUCTION: The question of radiographers' capacity to establish short time relationships as well as decoding patients' needs and expectations simultaneously with performing high technological examination frequently arises in the clinical practice. Additionally, the constant focus on technology and the fact that radiographers work in high productive departments accentuates the issue. Patients' experiences with radiology seem to be a neglected area of research and may help to identify areas for improvement in this highly technological and productive field. The purpose of the study was to explore oncology patients' experiences of a routine surveillance CT examination and their need for relationships and communication with the radiographer as part of the CT examination. METHODS: The study included patients diagnosed with cancer and in need of a CT examination as part of their course of treatment, and 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Themes were constructed and narratively reported. To increase validity, the themes were identified, discussed and formulated by the author group. RESULTS: Four themes were constructed based on the analysis: 1: The professional radiographer, 2. Disease and treatment, 3. The examination environment and 4: While waiting. CONCLUSION: The lack of focus on radiographers' capacity to establish relations, to consider each patient as an individual human being and being able to show sincere interest and empathy were highlighted. Findings illuminated the patient's need for relationship and communication with the radiographer as part of a CT examination.

Diagnostic performance of computed tomography colonography and colonoscopy: a prospective and validated analysis of 231 paired examinations.

BACKGROUND: Detection of colorectal tumors with computed tomography colonography (CTC) is an alternative to conventional colonoscopy (CC), and clarification of the diagnostic performance is essential for cost-effective use of both technologies. PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of CTC compared with CC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 231 consecutive CTCs were performed prior to same-day scheduled CC. The radiologist and endoscopists were blinded to each other's findings. Patients underwent a polyethylene glycol bowel preparation, and were scanned in prone and supine positions using a single-detector helical CT scanner and commercially available software for image analysis. Findings were validated (matched) in an unblinded comparison with video-recordings of the CCs and re-CCs in cases of doubt. RESULTS: For patients with polyps >/=5 mm and >/=10 mm, the sensitivity was 69% (95% CI 58-80%) and 81% (68-94%), and the specificity was 91% (84-98%) and 98% (93-100%), respectively. For detection of polyps >/=5 mm and >/=10 mm, the sensitivity was 66% (57-75%) and 77% (65-89%). A flat, elevated low-grade carcinoma was missed by CTC. One cancer relapse was missed by CC, and a cecal cancer was missed by an incomplete CC and follow-up double-contrast barium enema. CONCLUSION: CC was superior to CTC and should remain first choice for the diagnosis of colorectal polyps. However, for diagnosis of lesions >/=10 mm, CTC and CC should be considered as complementary methods.

Missed lesions and false-positive findings on computed-tomographic colonography: a controlled prospective analysis.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The aim of the present study was to analyze the reasons for false findings on computed-tomographic (CT) colonography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive CT colonography examinations were carried out before conventional colonoscopies scheduled on the same day. Before the study, an experienced radiologist received training in analyzing CT colonographies. The radiologists and endoscopists were blinded to each others' findings. The patients received standard polyethylene glycol bowel preparation and were scanned in the prone and supine positions using a helical CT scanner and commercially available software for image analysis. Each pair of examinations was later followed by an unblinded analysis, comparing the CT colonographies with video recordings of the conventional colonographies in order to determine the reasons for tumors being missed or false-positive diagnoses arising on CT colonography. RESULTS: Ninety polyps were detected in 41 patients. For patients with tumors > or = 5 mm and > or = 10 mm, the sensitivity was 67 % and 75 %, respectively, and the specificity was 84 % and 95 %, respectively. The most important reasons for the 38 false findings of tumors > or = 5 mm were perception errors (21 of 38) and misinterpretation of flat lesions in particular, including a high-grade dysplasia and a flat elevated Dukes A carcinoma. Residual stool was frequently the reason for misinterpreting lesions > or = 10 mm (four of 10). CONCLUSIONS: Perception errors were the main reason for false findings of lesions > or = 5 mm, including one flat malignant lesion. Residual stool caused four of 10 false findings for lesions > or = 10 mm. Reading CT colonographies requires a high level of expertise, and conventional colonography is still regarded as the gold standard for detecting colorectal lesions.

Blood pressure in acute stroke. The Copenhagen Stroke Study.

This study examines blood pressure (BP) and independent factors related to BP in the acute phase of stroke. The study is part of the community-based Copenhagen Stroke Study. In a multivariate regression model we analyzed the impact of clinical and medical factors on admission BP. BP declined with increasing time from stroke onset with a total of 8/4 mm Hg. Independent factors related to diastolic BP were ischemic heart disease (-3.9 mm Hg), male gender (2.2 mm Hg), known hypertension prior to stroke (8.6 mm Hg), and primary hemorrhage (9.7 mm Hg). Independent factors related to systolic BP were age (3.6 mm Hg/10-year increase), atrial fibrillation (-7.2 mm Hg), ischemic heart disease (-6.0 mm Hg), intracerebral hemorrhage (13.3 mm Hg), and known hypertension prior to stroke (16.3 mm Hg). No independent relations were seen between BP and diabetes, claudication, previous stroke, smoking, daily alcohol consumption, initial stroke severity and lesion size. The increase in BP in the acute phase of stroke is a uniform response to the ischemic event per se. BP is not related to stroke severity. Several factors are independently related to the BP level in acute stroke. The clinical significance of this is yet to be tested, but these factors may contribute to the seemingly complex relation between BP and outcome.

Manual and oral apraxia in acute stroke, frequency and influence on functional outcome: The Copenhagen Stroke Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of manual and oral apraxia in acute stroke and to examine the influence of these symptoms on functional outcome. DESIGN: Seven hundred seventy six unselected, acute stroke patients who were admitted within seven days of stroke onset with unimpaired consciousness were included. If possible, the patients were assessed for manual and oral apraxia on acute admission. Neurologic stroke severity including aphasia was assessed with the Scandinavian Stroke Scale, and activities of daily living function was assessed with the Barthel Index. All patients completed their rehabilitation in the same large stroke unit. RESULTS: Six hundred eighteen patients could cooperate with the apraxia assessments. Manual apraxia was found in 7% of subjects (10% in left and 4% in right hemispheric stroke; chi2 = 9.0; P = 0.003). Oral apraxia was found in 6% (9% in left and 4% in right hemispheric stroke; chi2 = 5.4; P = 0.02). Both manual and oral apraxia were related to increasing stroke severity, and manual, but not oral, apraxia was associated with increasing age. There was no gender difference in frequency of apraxia. Patients with either type of apraxia had temporal lobe involvement more often than patients without. When analyzed with multiple linear and logistic regression analyses, neither manual nor oral apraxia had any independent influence on functional outcome. CONCLUSION: Apraxia is significantly less frequent in unselected patients with acute stroke than has previously been assumed and has no independent negative influence on functional outcome.

Potentially reversible factors during the very acute phase of stroke and their impact on the prognosis: is there a large therapeutic potential to be explored?

In the Copenhagen Stroke Study, we evaluated the combined impact on stroke outcome of potentially treatable factors such as acute body temperature, blood glucose, and stroke in progression. The patients were stratified into two groups: (1) patients with 'good' prognostic parameters (body temperature on admission < or = 37.0 degrees C and plasma glucose on admission < or = 6.5 mmol/l and who did not develop stroke in progression) and (2) patients with correspondingly 'poor' prognostic parameters. A poor outcome was observed in 4% of the patients with good prognostic parameters versus in 49% of the patients with poor prognostic parameters (p < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis which also included stroke severity, blood glucose contributed significantly to poor outcome with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.2/1.0 mmol/l increase, body temperature with an OR of 2.2/1 degrees C increase, and stroke in progression with an OR of 2.9. However, the combined effect of all three factors was more than additive with an OR of 10.0 (95% CI 1.5-56; p < 0.01). We have shown that in human stroke a strong and more than additive association exists between potentially reversible parameters and outcome. Intervention trials can prove whether these marked relations are causal.

[Treatment and rehabilitation in an apoplexy unit increases the 5-year survival]. / Behandling og rehabilitering på apopleksiafsnit øger 5-års-overlevelsen.

Treatment of stroke patients in specialised stroke units has become more frequent, but the longterm effect of this treatment has not been determined. In this prospective, community-based study of 1241 unselected acute stroke patients we compared outcome between patients geographically randomised to treatment in a stroke unit or in a general neurological/medical ward, from the time of acute admission to the end of rehabilitation. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two treatment groups regarding age, sex, marital status, pre-stroke residence, and stroke severity. Patients treated in the stroke unit had higher comorbidity with regard to hypertension and diabetes. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were applied to estimate the independent influence of stroke unit treatment on outcome. Stroke unit treatment significantly reduced not only initial mortality, but also mortality within five years from stroke onset. The relative risk of dying within the first five years from stroke was reduced by 40%, p < 0.01. Treatment and rehabilitation of unselected stroke patients in a stroke unit reduces initial mortality, discharge rate to nursing home, reduces cost of treatment, and improves longterm survival up to five years after stroke.

Prediction of walking function in stroke patients with initial lower extremity paralysis: the Copenhagen Stroke Study.

OBJECTIVES: The majority of stroke patients with initial leg paralysis do not regain independent walking. We characterize the minority who, despite initial leg paralysis, regained independent walking. DESIGN: Consecutive and community based. SETTING: A stroke unit receiving all stroke patients from a well-defined community. PATIENTS: A total of 859 acute stroke patients; 157 (15%) initially had leg paralysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) and Barthel index (BI) on admission and weekly during rehabilitation. Univariate and multivariate statistics were considered. RESULTS: Of the 157 patients with initial leg paralysis, 84 (60%) died; 73 (40%) survived. Fifteen (21%) survivors regained walking function (the walking group), and 58 (79%) did not (the nonwalking group). The BI on admission was the only factor of significant predictive value (p < .03). Mean admission BI was 50 in the walking group versus 3 in the nonwalking group (p < .001). Age, gender, lesion size, total SSS score, and comorbidity had no predictive value. Within the first week, the walking group gained 3.2 points in the SSS subscore for leg strength versus 0.5 points in the nonwalking group (p < .02). CONCLUSION: Only 10% of stroke patients with initial leg paralysis regained independent walking. In these patients, BI on admission was high and leg strength improved quickly in the first week.

Who benefits from treatment and rehabilitation in a stroke Unit? A community-based study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The beneficial effects of treatment and rehabilitation of patients with acute stroke in a dedicated stroke unit (SU) are well established. We wanted to examine if these effects are limited to certain groups of patients or if they apply to all patients independent of age, sex, comorbidity, and initial stroke severity. METHODS: This was a community-based study of outcome in 1241 consecutive stroke patients from 2 communities in Copenhagen: In one (Frederiksberg), treatment and rehabilitation were given in general neurological and medical wards (GW), and in the other (Bispebjerg) in one single large SU. Outcome measures were initial, 1-year, and 5-year mortality rates, a poor outcome (initial death or discharge to a nursing home), and length of hospital stay (LOHS). Multivariate regression analyses were used to examine the independent effect of SU treatment on the various subgroups. RESULTS: The relative risks of initial death, poor outcome, and 1-year and 5-year mortality rates were reduced by 40% on average in patients treated in the SU compared with the GW. A beneficial effect of SU treatment was observed regardless of the patient's age, sex, comorbidity, and initial stroke severity. Those who benefited most appeared to be the patients with the most severe strokes (poor outcome: OR 0.17; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.58). Those who benefited least were patients with mild or moderate strokes (poor outcome: OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.98) and patients <75 years of age (poor outcome: OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.36 to 1.19). LOHS was reduced by 2 to 3 weeks in all who had their treatment in the SU except in patients with the most severe strokes. LOHS in these patients was similar to LOHS in the GW. CONCLUSIONS: A beneficial effect of treatment in a SU is achieved in completely unselected patients independent of their age, sex, comorbidity, and stroke severity. Those who had the most severe strokes appeared to benefit most. All patients with acute stroke should therefore have access to treatment and rehabilitation in a dedicated SU.

Stroke. Neurologic and functional recovery the Copenhagen Stroke Study.

Neurologic and functional recovery is dependent on a large variety of factors such as initial stroke severity, body temperature and blood glucose in the acute phase of stroke, stroke in progression, and treatment and rehabilitation on a dedicated stroke unit. The most important factor for recovery remains the initial severity of the stroke. In unselected patients 19% of the strokes are very severe, 14% are severe, 26% are moderate, and 41% are mild. In survivors, neurologic impairment after completed rehabilitation is still severe or very severe in 11%, moderate in 11%, mild in 47%, and 31% have achieved normal neurologic function. The ability to perform basic activities of daily living initially is reduced in three out of four patients with stroke. Most often affected is the ability to transfer, dress, and walk. After completed rehabilitation the group with moderate and severe disability is reduced from 50% to 25%, and the group with mild or no disability is increased from 50% to 75%. The prognosis of patients with mild or moderate stroke generally is excellent. Patients with severe stroke have a very variable recovery. Although the prognosis of patients with the most severe stroke is generally poor, one third of the survivors in this group are able to be discharged back to their own homes with no or only mild disability, if rehabilitated on a dedicated stroke unit. Functional recovery generally was completed within 3 months of stroke onset. Patients with mild stroke, however, recover within 2 months, patients with moderate stroke within 3 months, patients with severe stroke within 4 months, and patients with the most severe strokes have their functional recovery within 5 months from onset. Functional recovery is preceded by neurologic recovery by a mean of 2 weeks.

What determines good recovery in patients with the most severe strokes? The Copenhagen Stroke Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Even patients with the most severe strokes sometimes experience a remarkably good recovery. We evaluated possible predictors of a good outcome to search for new therapeutic strategies. METHODS: We included the 223 patients (19%) with the most severe strokes (Scandinavian Stroke Scale score <15 points) from the 1197 unselected patients in the Copenhagen Stroke Study. Of these, 139 (62%) died in the hospital and were excluded. The 26 survivors (31%) with a good functional outcome (Barthel Index >/=50 points) were compared with the 58 survivors (69%) with a poor functional outcome (Barthel Index <50 points). The predictive value of the following factors was examined in a multivariate logistic regression model: age; sex; a spouse; work; home care before stroke; initial stroke severity; blood pressure, blood glucose, and body temperature on admission; stroke subtype; neurological impairment 1 week after onset; diabetes; hypertension; atrial fibrillation; ischemic heart disease; previous stroke; and other disabling disease. RESULTS: Decreasing age (odds ratio [OR], 0.50 per 10-year decrease; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.99; P=0.04), a spouse (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1 to 8. 8; P=0.03), decreasing body temperature on admission (OR, 1.8 per 1 degrees C decrease; 95% CI, 1.1 to 3.1; P=0.01), and neurological recovery after 1 week (OR, 3.2 per 10-point increase in Scandinavian Stroke Scale score; 95% CI, 1.1 to 7.8; P=0.01) were all independent predictors of good functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with the most severe strokes who achieve a good functional outcome are generally characterized by younger age, the presence of a spouse at home, and early neurological recovery. Body temperature was a strong predictor of good functional outcome and the only potentially modifiable factor. We suggest that a randomized controlled trial be undertaken to evaluate whether active reduction of body temperature can improve the generally poor prognosis of patients with the most severe strokes.

Epidemiology of stroke-related disability.

This article describes basic characteristics and primary outcomes of unselected patients with stroke. These patients were part of the Copenhagen Stroke Study, a prospective, consecutive, and community-based study of 1197 acute stroke patients. The setting and care was multidisciplinary and all treatment was performed within the dedicated stroke unit. Neurologic impairment was measured at admission, weekly throughout the hospital stay, and again at the 6-month follow up. Basic activities of daily living, as measured by the Barthel Index, were assessed within the first week of admission, weekly throughout the hospital stay, and again after 6 months. Upon completion of the in-hospital rehabilitation, which averaged 37 days, two-thirds of surviving patients were discharged to their homes, with another 15% being discharged to a nursing home. Only 4% of the patients with very severe strokes reached independent function, as compared with 13% of patients with severe stroke, 37% of patients with moderate stroke, and 68% of patients with mild stroke.

Treatment and rehabilitation on a stroke unit improves 5-year survival. A community-based study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We have previously reported a marked reduction in mortality up to 1 year after treatment and rehabilitation on a stroke unit versus on general neurological and medical wards in unselected stroke patients. In the present study we wanted to test the hypothesis that this mortality-reducing effect is not temporary but is long lasting. METHODS: We performed a community-based comparison of outcome in 1241 stroke patients from 2 adjacent communities in Copenhagen: in one (Frederiksberg), treatment and rehabilitation were provided on general neurological and medical wards, and in the other (Bispebjerg), treatment and rehabilitation were provided on a single large stroke unit. RESULTS: The 2 stroke populations were comparable regarding age, sex, initial stroke severity, lesion diameter on CT, and stroke subtype (hemorrhage/infarct), but patients treated on the stroke unit had a higher frequency of comorbidity and lower incomes. One-year mortality was 39% (general wards) versus 32% (stroke unit) (P=0.01). This difference was still present 5 years after stroke (71% versus 64%; P=0.02). In a multiple logistic regression model of 5-year mortality, treatment on a stroke unit reduced the relative risk of death by 40% (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.85; P<0.01), independent of age, sex, stroke severity, and comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality-reducing effect of treatment and rehabilitation on a dedicated stroke unit is long lasting rather than temporary. Stroke unit treatment reduced the relative risk of death within 5 years after stroke by 40% in an unselected, community-based stroke population. These results emphasize the need for organization of treatment and rehabilitation of unselected stroke patients on dedicated stroke units.

Leukocytosis in acute stroke: relation to initial stroke severity, infarct size, and outcome: the Copenhagen Stroke Study.

UNLABELLED: Leukocytosis is a common finding in the acute phase of stroke. A detrimental effect of leukocytosis on stroke outcome has been suggested, and trials aiming at reducing the leukocyte response in acute stroke are currently being conducted. However, the influence of leukocytosis on stroke outcome has not been clarified. METHODS: In 763 unselected patients with stroke admitted within 24 hours from onset, we prospectively studied the relation between leukocyte count and outcome considering relevant confounders and predictors such as initial stroke severity, risk factor profile, body temperature, and infection. RESULTS: Univariate, leukocyte count on admission was significantly related to initial stroke severity (assessed by the Scandinavian Stroke Scale), lesion size on computed tomography, mortality, and outcome in survivors. However, multivariate regression analysis revealed that only the relation between leukocytosis and initial stroke severity was independent of other factors, whereas the relations found univariately between leukocytosis and lesion size, mortality, and outcome in survivors disappeared when initial stroke severity was included in the multivariate model. CONCLUSION: Leukocytosis on admission was related to initial stroke severity but not to outcome. Leukocyte count on admission seems merely to reflect initial stroke severity and is most likely a stress response with no independent influence on outcome. Our study may suggest that attempts aimed merely at lowering leukocyte count in peripheral circulating blood in the acute phase of stroke cannot be expected to improve outcome.

[Seizures in acute apoplexy. Predisposing factors and significance for prognosis]. / Krampeanfald ved akut apopleksi. Disponerende faktorer og prognostisk betydning.

The aim of the study was to determine the relationships between seizures during the early phase of stroke (early seizures, ES) and stroke outcome, and to identify predictors of ES. The study was prospective, consecutive and community-based, and included 1197 patients with acute stroke. We determined the number and type of seizures, initial stroke severity, infarct size, mortality, and outcome in survivors. Stroke severity was measured on admission, weekly, and at discharge using the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS). Multiple logistic and linear regression outcome analyses included relevant confounders and potential predictors. Fifty patients (4.2%) had seizures within 14 days of the stroke. In the multivariate analyses, only initial stroke severity was related to ES. For each 10-point increase in stroke severity (SSS score), the relative risk of ES increased by a factor of 1.65 (95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 1.9) (p < 0.0001). ES did not influence the risk of death during hospital stay (p = 0.56). In survivors, ES was related to a better outcome, equivalent to an improvement in SSS score of 5.7 points (SE [b] = 1.8; p = 0.002). The decisive factor of ES was initial stroke severity. ES per se was not related to mortality. Surprisingly, in survivors, ES predicted a better outcome. We explain this finding by a relatively larger ischaemic penumbra in patients who have ES after a stroke.

Incidence and prevention of deep venous thrombosis occurring late after general surgery: randomised controlled study of prolonged thromboprophylaxis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of late deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and to evaluate a regimen of prolonged thromboprophylaxis after general surgery. DESIGN: Randomised, controlled, open trial, with blinded evaluation. SETTING: University hospital, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 176 consecutive patients undergoing major elective abdominal or non-cardiac thoracic operations, of whom 118 were eligible for evaluation. INTERVENTIONS: Thromboprophylaxis with a low-molecular-weight heparin, tinzaparin, given for four weeks (n = 58), compared with one week (control group, n = 60). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of DVT established by bilateral venography four weeks after the operation. RESULTS: The incidence of late DVT in the control group was 6/60 (10%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4% to 21%). In the prophylaxis group it was 3/58 (5.2%, 95% CI 1% to 14%) (p = 0.49). CONCLUSION: Prolonged thromboprophylaxis had no significant effect on the incidence of DVT occurring late after general surgery.

Impaired orientation in acute stroke: frequency, determinants, and time-course of recovery. The Copenhagen Stroke Study.

Orientation is an indicator of general intellectual function and is defined as the ability to report time, place, and personal data. Our knowledge of orientation in acute stroke is sparse. We examined the frequency of impaired orientation in acute stroke, its determinants, and recovery in 653 consecutive patients with acute stroke who were not unconscious and who were without severe aphasia. Prospective assessments of orientation and stroke severity were done by the Scandinavian Neurologic Stroke Scale at the time of acute admission and hereafter weekly until the end of rehabilitation. Impaired orientation was found in 23% of the patients on acute admission and in 12% of the survivors after completed rehabilitation. A stationary level of orientation was achieved by 80% of the patients within 2 weeks and by 95% within 6 weeks. A multiple linear regression analysis found neurological score (B = 0.027, SE(B) = 0.003), age (B = -0.013, SE(B) = 0.003), and comorbidity (B = -0.023, SE(B) = 0.078), but not sex, prior stroke, handedness, or side of stroke lesion to be significant independent determinants of orientation score on acute admission. Lesions involving the anterior and medial thalamus and/or any of the cerebral lobes were associated with impaired orientation. In conclusion, impaired orientation is frequent in acute stroke and the time-course of recovery is similar to what has been found in other neuropsychological impairments with the major part of recovery early after stroke onset.

[Pattern of admissions of patients with apoplexy. Time connection between symptom onset and admission and relation to medical and social factors. The Copenhagen Stroke Study]. / Indlaeggelsesmønster for patienter med apopleksi. Tidsmaessig sammenhaeng mellem symptomdebut og indlaeggelse og relation til medicinske og sociale faktorer. The Copenhagen Stroke Study.

The purpose of the study was to study admission delay in patients with stroke, and to analyze the influence of demographic, medical, and pathophysiological factors on admission delay. The study was prospective and consecutive and included 1197 unselected patients admitted with acute stroke from a well-defined catchment area in Copenhagen. Only 35% were admitted within the first six hours from stroke onset, and 50% of the patients were admitted later than 14 hours from stroke onset. Living alone (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.3) and retired working status (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.54) delayed admission. A well-functioning social network thus seems important to early admission. The milder the stroke, the higher was the risk of delayed admission (OR 1.25 per 10 points increase in stroke severity (Scandinavian Neurological Stroke Scale on admission), 95% CI 1.06 to 2.54. Other factors such as age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, other comorbidity, previous stroke, headache, aphasia, apraxia, anosognosia, neglect, lowered consciousness, mental status, and type of stroke had no independent influence on admission time. However, a history of TIA increased the chance of early admission by odds 1.64 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.54), indicating that an increase in public awareness and knowledge may reduce delay and save precious time.