Characteristics of Stroke in Prehospital Settings in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Analysis

Abstract

Background: Stroke is considered a time-sensitive emergency; thus, early recognition of this condition is a crucial function of emergency medical services (EMS) and medical practitioners. In this study, we aimed to assess the characteristics observed by EMS practitioners in stroke-suspected cases. Methodology: This is a retrospective observational study, using the data available in the registry of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA). We collected data from the beginning of January 2018 to the end of December 2020. Results: We reviewed 753 patients who met the study’s inclusion criteria. Participants aged 61-70 years represented 29% of the study group, and 66% of the group were male. Patients living in Makkah constituted 32.9%, while most of the patients (71.7%) were Saudi nationals. Weakness was the most common complaint, reported in 45% of patients. The most associated disease was hypertension (54.4%), whereas hypoglycaemic patients represented 0.4% of the group. Conclusion: Weakness was the most prevalent complaint among stroke-suspected patients, and hypertension was the most associated risk factor. Blood glucose measurement and neurological examination were both included in the EMS assessment of stroke-suspected patients. This might indicate the high quality of the EMS assessment for stroke and stroke-mimickers.