EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND ISSUES OF ACUTE STROKE MANAGEMENT IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL - A PROSPECTIVE LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF SOUTHERN COASTAL INDIA.

Abstract

Objective: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 15 million patients worldwide suffer from stroke annually. Diverse demography and limited national health resources contribute to the difficulty in neuroepidemiological studies, which will effectively guide health care professionals to treat patients of that particular region. In this study we tried to explore the epidemiological parameters and deficits of acute stroke management. Materials And Methods: Current study is a prospective longitudinal study of 653 acute stroke patients presenting to the departments of Neurology, Emergency medicine of Narayana Medical College, over a period of 2 years (April 2018 to March 2020). Demographic parameters were considered as Primary observed variables. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive analysis was performed by the mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables, frequency, and proportion for categorical variables. Of the 653 patients, 317 (49%) were males and 336(51%) were fe Results: males. Mean age for stroke was 61.6 years. Majority of them were from rural background, have nil education status, married, house wives and from low socioeconomic status. 69% were not aware of any vascular risk factors for stroke/ CAD. Awareness of other vascular risk factors like diabetes, hypertension was in 34% while that of treatment options like thrombolysis was in 12% patients only. Alcohol consumption was present in 41% and smoking in 38% patients. Most common time of symptom onset was 6-12 hours. Majority of the first evaluated areas was emergency department. 49% patients consulted health care facility after window period, most common reason for delay being inability to recognize symptoms followed by lack of transportation Assessment of patient's socio economic and educational Conclusion: status, knowing the patient's awareness of vascular risk factors and management aspects of stroke with early recognition of symptoms and signs help us in strengthening the health care system, there by reducing morbidity and mortality of stroke in countries like India, where the major population is from rural background.