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In this study, we suggest that there is a substantial knowing-doing gap in acute stroke, as increased stroke knowledge was not associated with earlier hospital admission., (© 2019 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background and Purpose- Thrombolysis with alteplase has beneficial effect on outcome and is safe within 4.5 hours. The present study compares the efficacy and safety of tenecteplase and alteplase in patients treated 3 to 4.5 hours after ischemic stroke. Methods- The data are from a prespecified substudy of patients included in The NOR-TEST (Norwegian Tenecteplase Stroke Trial), a randomized control trial comparing tenecteplase with alteplase. Results- The median admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale for this study population was 3 (interquartile range, 2-6). In the intention-to-treat analysis, 57% of patients that received tenecteplase and 53% of patients that received alteplase reached good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-1) at 3 months (odds ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.68-2.10). The rates of intracranial hemorrhage in the first 48 hours were 5.7% in the tenecteplase group and 6.7% in the alteplase group (odds ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.26-2.70). At 3 months, mortality was 5.7% and 4.5%, respectively. After excluding stroke mimics and patients with modified Rankin Scale score of >1 before stroke, the proportion of patients with good functional outcome was 61% in the tenecteplase group and 57% in the alteplase group (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.65-2.37). Conclusions- Tenecteplase is at least as effective as alteplase to achieve a good clinical outcome in patients with mild stroke treated between 3 and 4.5 hours after ischemic stroke. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01949948.

Background: Studies on the relationship between carotid atherosclerosis and cognitive function in subjects from the general population are few and results have been inconsistent., Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between carotid atherosclerotic burden and cognitive function in a cross-sectional analysis of a population-based cohort aged 63-65 years., Methods: All habitants born in 1950 from Akershus County, Norway were invited to participate. A linear regression model was used to assess the association between carotid atherosclerosis and cognitive function. We used carotid plaque score as a measure of carotid atherosclerotic burden and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for global cognitive function., Results: We analyzed 3,413 individuals aged 63-65 with mean MoCA score 25.3±2.9 and 87% visible carotid plaques. We found a negative correlation between carotid plaque score and MoCA score (r = -0.14, p < 0.001), but this association was lost in multivariable analysis. In contrast, diameter or area of the thickest plaque was independently associated with MoCA score. Lower educational level, male sex, current smoking, and diabetes were also associated with lower MoCA score in multivariable analysis., Conclusion: Carotid atherosclerotic burden was, unlike other measures of advanced carotid atherosclerosis, not independently associated with global cognitive function.

Objectives: Treatment on organized stroke units (SUs) improves survival after stroke, and stroke mortality has decreased worldwide in recent decades; however, little is known of survival trends among SU patients specifically. This study investigates changes in survival and characteristics of older stroke patients receiving SU treatment., Materials & Methods: We compared 3-year all-cause mortality and baseline characteristics in two cohorts of stroke patients aged ≥60 consecutively admitted to the same comprehensive SU in 1994 (n = 271) and 2012 (n = 546)., Results: Three-year survival was 53.9% in 1994 and 56.0% in 2012, and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.77-1.28). Adjusted 30-day case fatality was slightly higher in 2012, 18.9% versus 16.2%, HR 1.68 (95% CI: 1.14-2.47). There were no significant between-cohort differences in survival beyond 30 days. Patients in 2012 were older (mean age: 78.8 vs. 76.7 years) and more often admitted from nursing homes. There were higher rates of atrial fibrillation (33.7% vs. 21.4%) and malignancy (19.2% vs. 8.9%), and prescription of antiplatelets (46.9% vs. 26.2%) and warfarin (16.3% vs. 5.5%) at admission. Stroke severity was significantly milder in 2012, proportion with mild stroke 66.1% versus 44.3%., Conclusions: Three-year survival in older Norwegian stroke patients treated on an SU remained stable despite improved treatment in the last decades. Differences in background characteristics may explain this lack of difference; patients in 2012 were older, more often living in supported care, and had higher prestroke comorbidity; however, their strokes were milder and risk factors more often treated., (© 2018 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background and Purpose: Knowledge of the burden and development of post-stroke cognitive impairments (CIs) in the long-term after the first event is limited. We aimed to assess the prevalence of mild CI (MCI) and dementia 7 years after first-ever stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), to subclassify the impairments, and to identify predictors for a favorable cognitive outcome., Materials and Methods: During 2007 and 2008, 208 patients with first-ever stroke or TIA without preexisting CI were included. After 1 and 7 years, survivors were invited to a follow-up. Transitions of cognitive status from 1 to 7 years were recorded based on the 3 categories dementia, MCI, or none. Etiologic subclassification was based on clinical cognitive profile, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and biomarkers at both time points. Favorable outcome was defined as normal cognitive function or MCI after 7 years with exclusion of those who had progression from normal to MCI., Results: Eighty patients died during follow-up, 12 patients refused further participation. After 7 years, 109 completed follow-up of whom 40 (37%) were diagnosed with MCI and 24 (22%) with dementia. Of the 64 patients diagnosed with CI, 9 were subclassified with degenerative cognitive disease, 13 with vascular disease, and 42 had mixed cognitive disease. In all, 65 patients (60%) had a favorable outcome. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, lower age and lower medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTLA) grade on MRI at 12 months were independently associated with a favorable outcome, adjusted OR (95% CI), 0.94 (0.86-0.92), and 0.55 (0.35-0.85), respectively., Conclusions: Sixty percent of stroke survivors have a favorable cognitive outcome. Lower age and lower MTLA grade on MRI were associated with favorable outcome., (© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background and Purpose: The aim of this pooled patient-level data analysis was to test if multidomain interventions, addressing several modifiable vascular risk factors simultaneously, are more effective than usual post-stroke care for the prevention of cognitive decline after stroke., Methods: This pooled patient-level data analysis included two randomized controlled trials using a multidomain approach to target vascular risk factors in stroke patients and cognition as primary outcome. Changes from baseline to 12 months in the trail making test (TMT)-A, TMT-B and 10-words test were analysed using stepwise backward linear mixed models with study as random factor. Two analyses were based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle using different imputation approaches and one was based on complete cases., Results: Data from 322 patients (157 assigned to multidomain intervention and 165 to standard care) were analysed. Differences between randomization groups for TMT-A scores were found in one ITT model (P = 0.014) and approached significance in the second ITT model (P = 0.087) and for complete cases (P = 0.091). No significant intervention effects were found for any of the other cognitive variables., Conclusion: We found indications that multidomain interventions compared with standard care can improve the scores in TMT-A at 1 year after stroke but not those for TMT-B or the 10-words test. These results have to be interpreted with caution due to the small number of patients., (© 2018 The Authors. European Journal of Neurology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Neurology.)

Objectives: Prehospital delay is a challenge for stroke treatment and the delivery of time-critical treatments. Few studies have examined secular trends in prehospital delay, and results vary. This study investigates how prehospital delay among Norwegian stroke patients has changed over the last 2 decades., Methods: We compared time from symptom onset to admission in 2 cohorts of stroke patients admitted to Akershus University Hospital, Norway, in 1994 (n = 550) and 2012 (n = 522), and constructed predictive models for arrival within 3 hours for each cohort., Results: More patients arrived within 3 hours of symptom onset in 2012 compared to 1994 (proportion, 47.1% versus 19.3%, P < .001), also after adjusting for age, sex, and baseline differences; odds ratio (OR) was 5.14 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.69-7.15). Stroke severity was the only predictor examined that was independently associated with early arrival during both periods. For patients with moderate strokes the overall OR was 2.06 (95% CI 1.41-3.00) and for severe strokes 4.52 (95% CI 2.97-6.87), compared to those with mild strokes. In the 1994 cohort additional predictors of early arrival were living with others and not being admitted from nursing home., Conclusions: Prehospital delay in Norway has decreased considerably over the last 2 decades and since the availability of time-critical treatments. However, there is still an urgent need to reduce the number of delayed admissions as a large proportion of patients continue to arrive too late to benefit from these treatments. Patients with severer strokes were predicted to have earlier arrival., (Copyright © 2018 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: New data on extracranial carotid atherosclerosis are needed, as improved ultrasound techniques may detect more atherosclerosis, the definition of plaque has changed over the years, and better cardiovascular risk control in the population may have changed patterns of carotid arterial wall disease and actual prevalence of established cardiovascular disease. We investigated the prevalence of atherosclerotic carotid plaques and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and their relation to cardiovascular risk factors in a middle-aged cohort from the general population., Methods and Results: We performed carotid ultrasound in 3683 participants who were born in 1950 and included in a population-based Norwegian study. Carotid plaque and cIMT were assessed according to the Mannheim Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaque Consensus, and a carotid plaque score was used to calculate atherosclerotic burden. The participants were aged 63 to 65 years, and 49% were women. The prevalence of established cardiovascular disease was low (10%), but 62% had hypertension, 53% had hypercholesterolemia, 11% had diabetes mellitus, and 23% were obese. Mean cIMT was 0.73±0.11 mm, and atherosclerotic carotid plaques were present in 87% of the participants (median plaque score: 2; interquartile range: 3). Most of the cardiovascular risk factors, with the exception of diabetes mellitus, obesity and waist-hip ratio, were independently associated with the plaque score. In contrast, only sex, hypertension, obesity, current smoking, and cerebrovascular disease were associated with cIMT., Conclusions: We found very high prevalence of carotid plaque in this middle-aged population, and our data support a greater association between cardiovascular risk factors and plaque burden, compared with cIMT., Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01555411., (© 2018 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.)

Background and Purpose: An increasing proportion of patients presenting with suspected stroke prove to have other conditions, often referred to as stroke mimics. The aim of this study was to present a projection of the number of hospitalized strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), and stroke mimics in Norway up to the year 2050 based on expected demographic changes, to estimate the burden of stroke mimics in the coming decades., Materials and Methods: This prospective study included all admissions to the stroke unit of Akershus University Hospital from March 1, 2012, to February 28, 2013. Relevant resource use was recorded. Based on the age- and sex-specific absolute incidences for the study period, the expected numbers of strokes, TIAs, and stroke mimics in the entire Norwegian population were computed for every fifth year for the period 2020-2050., Results: We included 1881 admissions, of which 38.2% were stroke mimics. With constant age- and sex-dependent incidence rates, we estimated that the number of strokes and stroke mimics will respectively increase by 121.3% and 88.7% (men) and 97.6% and 71.7% (women). For hospital admission levels to stay constant at the 2013 level, an annual reduction of 2.1% and 1.7% (men) and 1.8% and 1.5% (women) must take place for strokes and mimics, respectively., Conclusions: A significant proportion of stroke unit admissions prove to have other conditions than stroke. With constant age- and sex-dependent incidence rates, the number of stroke mimics admissions will increase substantially over the next decades., (Copyright © 2018 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Over the last decades, the approach to patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) has shifted from treating only patients considered at high risk of recurrent stroke, to referring all patients with TIA to urgent assessment and immediate initiation of preventive treatment. The data on how this change has influenced the stroke rate after TIA are limited. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to identify the incidence of stroke recurrence after TIA. Second, we wanted to evaluate the ABCD2 score as a predictor of recurrent stroke., Methods: Patients discharged with a diagnosis of TIA from the Stroke Unit at Akershus University Hospital between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013 were included in the study. Data were obtained from the electronic medical records. Readmission data to capture recurrent strokes were registered until December 31, 2015., Results: In total, 261 patients were included. Mean age was 70.7 years. Stroke incidence at 1 month, 1 year, and the end of follow-up was 1.5% (n = 4), 3.4% (n = 9), and 4.2% (n = 11), respectively. Median time from TIA until recurrent stroke was 90 days. The ability of the ABCD2 score to predict recurrent stroke was low., Conclusions: Urgent admission of patients with TIA is followed by a very low risk of early and late recurrent stroke. The ABCD2 score did not identify patients at high risk of recurrent stroke., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Tenecteplase is a newer thrombolytic agent with some pharmacological advantages over alteplase. Previous phase 2 trials of tenecteplase in acute ischaemic stroke have shown promising results. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of tenecteplase versus alteplase in patients with acute stroke who were eligible for intravenous thrombolysis., Methods: This phase 3, randomised, open-label, blinded endpoint, superiority trial was done in 13 stroke units in Norway. We enrolled adults with suspected acute ischaemic stroke who were eligible for thrombolysis and admitted within 4·5 h of symptom onset or within 4·5 h of awakening with symptoms, or who were eligible for bridging therapy before thrombectomy. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive intravenous tenecteplase 0·4 mg/kg (to a maximum of 40 mg) or alteplase 0·9 mg/kg (to a maximum of 90 mg), via a block randomisation schedule stratified by centre of inclusion. Patients were not informed of treatment allocation; treating physicians were aware of treatment allocation but those assessing the primary and secondary endpoints were not. The primary outcome was excellent functional outcome defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-1 at 3 months. The primary analysis was an unadjusted and non-stratified intention-to-treat analysis with last observation carried forward for imputation of missing data. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01949948., Findings: Between Sept 1, 2012, and Sept 30, 2016, 1107 patients met the inclusion criteria and seven patients were excluded because informed consent was withdrawn or eligibility for thrombolytic treatment was reconsidered. 1100 patients were randomly assigned to the tenecteplase (n=549) or alteplase (n=551) groups. The median age of participants was 77 years (IQR 64-79) and the median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at baseline was 4 points (IQR 2-8). A final diagnosis other than ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack was found in 99 (18%) patients in the tenecteplase group and 91 (17%) patients in the alteplase group. The primary outcome was achieved by 354 (64%) patients in the tenecteplase group and 345 (63%) patients in the alteplase group (odds ratio 1·08, 95% CI 0·84-1·38; p=0·52). By 3 months, 29 (5%) patients had died in the tenecteplase group compared with 26 (5%) in the alteplase group. The frequency of serious adverse events was similar between groups (145 [26%] in the tenecteplase group vs 141 [26%] in the alteplase group; p=0·74)., Interpretation: Tenecteplase was not superior to alteplase and showed a similar safety profile. Most patients enrolled in this study had mild stroke. Further trials are needed to establish the safety and efficacy in patients with severe stroke and whether tenecteplase is non-inferior to alteplase., Funding: Research Council of Norway., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: To investigate Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test scores in a cohort aged 63-65 years from a general population in relation to the proposed cut-off score of 26 for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to explore the impact of education., Methods: MoCA scores were assessed in the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study, a cross-sectional cohort study of all men and women born in 1950 living in Akershus County, Norway. The participants were aged 63-65 at the time of data collection., Results: MoCA scores were available in 3,413 participants, of which 47% had higher education (>12 years). The mean MoCA score was 25.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.2-25.4), and 49% had a score below the suggested cut-off of 26 points. Those with higher education had significantly higher scores (mean 26.2, 95% CI 26.1-26.3 vs. 24.4, 95% CI 24.3-24.6, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Approximately 50% scored below the cut-off score of 26 points, suggesting that the cut-off score may have been set too high to distinguish normal cognitive function from MCI. Educational level had a significant impact on MoCA scores.

Background: Too few patients with acute stroke receive thrombolytic therapy owing to the limited time window for treatment and prehospital delay. The purpose of this study is to describe the prehospital path for patients with acute stroke and, in particular, what distinguishes patients who contact the Emergency Medical Communication Centre (EMCC) from those who contact their general practitioner (GP) or Out-of-hours (OOH) services., Material and Method: Patients with acute cerebral infarction and intracerebral haemorrhage admitted to the Stroke Unit, Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, were included. Data on the prehospital path (prehospital delay, medical contacts) were collected over the period 15 April 2009 – 1 April 2010., Results: A total of 299 patients were included in the study. The median age was 75 years and 48.5 % were women. In all, 63.9 % of patients with acute stroke called the EMCC, and 93.7 % of these were taken directly to hospital by ambulance. Of those who called the GP’s office or OOH services, 60.7 % were asked to go to the GP’s office or OOH services in person. Patients who called and attended the GP’s office or OOH services had milder neurological deficits (p < 0.001) and longer patient delay (p = 0.018) than those who called the EMCC., Interpretation: Six out of ten patients who contacted the primary health care services were asked to go to the GP’s office/OOH services in person, which resulted in unnecessary delay. The findings from this study may indicate a need for specific training of this group of health care professionals in the prompt handling of patients with possible stroke.

Background: Although the most serious consequence of neuronal ischemia is acute neuronal death, mounting evidence suggests similarities between stroke and neurodegenerative disease. Brain atrophy visualized on structural MRI and pathological cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of microtubule-associated protein tau (T-tau) and phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau indicate neurofibrillary degeneration. We aimed to explore the association between CSF T-tau and brain atrophy 1 year post-stroke., Methods: We included 210 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke or transitory ischemic attack without pre-existing cognitive impairment. After 12 months, subjects underwent MRI, and CSF biomarkers were assessed. Using SIENAX (part of FSL), ventricular CSF volume and total brain volume were estimated and normalized for subject head size. The association between T-tau as explanatory variable and ventricular and total brain volume as outcome variables were studied using linear regression., Results: One hundred eighty-two patients completed the follow-up. Forty-four had a lumbar puncture. Of these, 31 had their MRI with identical scan parameters. Mean age was 70.2 years (SD 11.7). Ventricular volume on MRI was significantly associated with age, but not with gender. In the multiple regression model, there was a significant association between T-tau and both ventricular (beta 0.44, 95% CI 376.3, 394.9, p = 0.021) and global brain volume (beta -0.50, 95% CI -565.9, -78.3, p = 0.011). There was no significant association between CSF T-tau 1 year post-stroke and baseline volumes., Conclusion: T-tau measured 1 year post-stroke is associated with measures of brain atrophy. The findings indicate that acute stroke may enhance or trigger tau-linked neurodegeneration with loss of neurons., Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00506818 , July 23, 2007. Inclusion from February 2007, randomization and intervention from May 2007 and trial registration in July 2007.

Background: Swollen middle cerebral artery infarction is a life-threatening disease and decompressive craniectomy is improving survival significantly. Despite decompressive surgery, however, many patients are not discharged from the hospital alive. We therefore wanted to search for predictors of early in-hospital death after craniectomy in swollen middle cerebral artery infarction., Methods: All patients operated with decompressive craniectomy due to swollen middle cerebral artery infarction at the Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway, between May 1998 and October 2010, were included. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed and candidate variables were age, sex, time from stroke onset to decompressive craniectomy, NIHSS on admission, infarction territory, pineal gland displacement, reduction of pineal gland displacement after surgery, and craniectomy size., Results: Fourteen out of 45 patients (31%) died during the primary hospitalization (range, 3-44 days). In the multivariate logistic regression model, middle cerebral artery infarction with additional anterior and/or posterior cerebral artery territory involvement was found as the only significant predictor of early in-hospital death (OR, 12.7; 95% CI, 0.01-0.77; p = 0.029)., Conclusions: The present study identified additional territory infarction as a significant predictor of early in-hospital death. The relatively small sample size precludes firm conclusions.

Background and Purpose: Pulsatility index (PI) of the middle cerebral artery is postulated to reflect the vascular resistance in the artery distal of the probe, and has been reported to increase in small vessel disease, diabetes mellitus, ageing, and dementia. Lacunar infarcts are considered to be related to cognitive impairment. We therefore conducted a study to assess the association between cognitive impairment and PI in patients with a lacunar infarct., Methods: Consecutive patients presenting with an acute lacunar syndrome who were admitted to the stroke unit were enrolled. The patients were examined with Doppler ultrasonography of the intracranial arteries, and the PI of the middle cerebral artery was recorded. Cognitive function was evaluated by mini-mental state examination (MMSE), clock drawing test, and trail making test (TMT) A and B., Results: Among the 113 patients included, 85 patients had an acute lacunar infarct and 28 had one or more nonlacunar infarcts. The mean PI was 1.46 (SD = .33). PI was significantly (P < .05) associated with MMSE, TMT A and TMT B in patients with lacunar infarct, even after adjustment for multiple patient characteristics (age, sex, prestroke hypertension, smoking, previous stroke, and diabetes)., Conclusions: PI was associated with the cognitive performance in patients with lacunar infarcts and a lacunar syndrome. An elevated PI may be related to impairment in several cognitive domains. These findings suggest that transcranial Doppler ultrasonography could be an adjunct tool for early diagnosis of cognitive impairment after stroke., (Copyright © 2016 by the American Society of Neuroimaging.)

Background: Elevated blood pressure is frequently seen in acute stroke, and patients with lacunar and nonlacunar infarcts may have different underlying mechanisms for increase in blood pressure. The impact of hypertension as a risk factor may also vary. The aims of the present study were to investigate blood pressure in patients presenting with lacunar syndromes but with different anatomical subtypes of stroke, to explore the impact of subtype on blood pressure, and to identify stroke-related factors associated with hypertension., Methods: Consecutive patients presenting with an acute lacunar syndrome were enrolled. Patients were classified into a lacunar or nonlacunar group based on radiological verified infarcts. Blood pressure was measured. Between-group differences were analyzed by χ2-test, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. We performed linear regression to analyze the association between blood pressure and lacunar infarct, and multiple linear regression to adjust for other covariates., Results: One hundred thirteen patients were included. Seventy five percent had lacunar and 25% nonlacunar infarcts. There was no significant difference in clinical severity between the two groups. In the linear regression model, we found a significant association between blood pressure and lacunar infarct. No other factor was significantly associated with blood pressure in the two groups., Conclusions: Lacunar infarcts may be independently associated with higher blood pressure compared to nonlacunar infarcts with the same clinical severity. Blood pressure differences between different subtypes of stroke may not be related to clinical severity but to the underlying cause of stroke.

Background: Decompressive craniectomy in malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMCAI) reduces mortality. Whether speech-dominant side infarction results in less favorable outcome is unclear. This study compared functional outcome, quality of life, and mental health among patients with speech-dominant and non-dominant side infarction., Methods: All patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy for MMCAI were included. Demographics, side of infarction, and speech-dominant hemisphere were recorded. Outcome at follow-up was assessed by global functioning (modified Rankin Scale score), neurological impairment (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score), dependency (Barthel Index), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale), and quality of life (Short Form-36)., Results: Twenty-nine out of 45 patients (mean age ± SD, 48.1 ± 11.6 years; 58 % male) were alive at follow-up, and 26 were eligible for analysis [follow-up, median (interquartile range): 66 months (32-93)]. The speech-dominant hemisphere was affected in 13 patients. Outcome for patients with speech-dominant and non-dominant side MMCAI was similar regarding neurological impairment (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, mean ± SD: 10.3 ± 7.0 vs. 8.9 ± 2.7, respectively; p = 0.51), global functioning [modified Rankin Scale score, median (IQR): 3.0 [2-4] vs. 4.0 [3-4]; p = 0.34], dependence (Barthel Index, mean ± SD: 16.2 ± 5.0 vs. 13.1 ± 4.8; p = 0.12), and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, mean ± SD: anxiety, 5.0 ± 4.5 vs. 7.3 ± 5.8; p = 0.30; depression, 5.0 ± 5.2 vs. 5.9 ± 3.9; p = 0.62). The mean quality of life scores (Short Form-36) were not significantly different between the groups., Conclusions: There was no statistical or clinical difference in functional outcome and quality of life in patients with speech-dominant compared to non-dominant side infarction. The side affected should not influence suitability for decompressive craniectomy.

Only a minor proportion of patients with acute ischemic stroke receive treatment with intravenous thrombolysis. The purpose of this study was to explore reasons for not giving thrombolysis and to determine if there was a correlation between prehospital and in-hospital delay in a Norwegian ischemic stroke population. Patients with acute ischemic stroke were included during a 1-year period. Time intervals for prehospital and in-hospital delay, reasons for not treating with thrombolytic therapy in patients admitted within the time window and reasons for late arrival were recorded. In all, 290 patients were included, and 7.6 % were treated with intravenous thrombolysis. The most frequent reasons for not treating eligible patients were: minor symptoms (22.8 %), clinical improvement (17.5 %) and uncertainty about the diagnosis (12.3 %). Patients' reasons for delayed admission were: not attributing their symptoms to stroke (25.4 %), a wait-and-see attitude (25.4 %), and choosing to wait for the GP's office to open (14.3 %). Prehospital delay was strongly correlated to in-hospital delay (p < 0.001). In conclusion, a large percentage of patients with AIS are not treated with thrombolysis because of mild or rapidly improving symptoms, and because patients arrive too late to the hospital. Absolute and relative contraindications account for a minor proportion of reasons for excluding patients.

Objectives: Vascular risk factor control may not only prevent stroke but also reduce the risk of dementia. We investigated whether a multifactorial intervention program reduces the incidence of cognitive symptoms one-year after stroke and transient ischemic attack in first ever stroke patients without cognitive decline prior to the stroke., Materials and Methods: Patients suffering their first ever stroke were included in this randomized, evaluator-blinded, controlled trial with two parallel groups. Baseline examination included extensive assessment of exposure to vascular risk factors and cognitive assessments regarding memory, attention, and executive function. After discharge, patients were allocated to either intensive vascular risk factor intervention or care as usual. The primary end points were changes in trailmaking test A and 10-word test from baseline to 12 months follow-up., Results: One hundred ninety-five patients were randomized. The difference between groups in trail-making test A, adjusted for baseline measurements, was 3·8 s (95% confidence interval: -4·2 to 11·9; P=0·35) in favor of the intervention group. The difference between groups in the 10-word recall test was 1·1 words (95% confidence interval: -0·5 to 2·7; P=0·17) in favor of the intervention group. We did not observe any differences in the secondary outcomes of incident dementia or mild cognitive impairment., Conclusions: We could not demonstrate cognitive effects of an intensive risk factor intervention at one-year poststroke. Longer follow-up and a more heterogeneous study sample might have lead to larger effects. More effective methods for managing the risk of further cognitive decline after stroke are needed., (© 2012 The Authors. International Journal of Stroke © 2012 World Stroke Organization.)

Background: The lacunar syndrome is characterized by pure motor, pure sensory, or sensorimotor hemisymptoms without cortical deficits. It may be less predictable for a lacunar infarct (LI) than previously believed. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the different lacunar syndromes and investigate factors associated with acute LI on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)., Methods: Consecutive patients presenting with an acute lacunar syndrome who were admitted to the stroke unit were enrolled. The patients were examined clinically and underwent magnetic resonance imaging. The sensitivity and specificity of the different lacunar syndromes were assessed using DWI as reference test, and we estimated positive and negative predictive values. Patients were divided into a LI group and a group without LI. Between-group differences were analyzed by χ(2) test, t test, and Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. Logistic regression was performed to analyze predictors of LI. Candidate variables were pure motor syndrome, age, gender, hypertension, precerebral or intracerebral stenosis, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and smoking., Results: Eighty-six patients with lacunar syndrome underwent DWI. The positive predictive value of the lacunar syndrome was 65.1% and 75% for the pure motor syndrome. Of the candidate variables, only pure motor syndrome and male gender had significant associations with LI on imaging., Conclusions: The clinical diagnosis of patients with lacunar syndromes is inaccurate, especially among patients with sensorimotor syndrome. DWI is mandatory for obtaining an accurate diagnosis of the infarct., (Copyright © 2014 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Previous studies have identified insufficient knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors both among survivors of stroke and in the general population. The purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors in a Norwegian stroke population and to identify factors associated with good knowledge., Methods: This prospective study included patients with acute transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke, and intracerebral hemorrhage. Knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors was explored by asking open-ended questions. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify factors related to good knowledge., Results: In total, 287 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 70.0 ± 12.9 years) answered the open-ended questionnaire of which 71% knew at least 1 symptom of stroke whereas 43% knew at least 1 risk factor. Knowledge of both numbness/weakness and speech difficulties as symptoms of stroke (43% of the patients) was associated with lower age (odds ratio [OR], .96; 95% confidence interval [CI], .94-.99), higher education (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.17-4.30), and having previously received information regarding stroke (OR, 7.74; 95% CI, 3.82-15.67). Knowing at least 2 of the 3 risk factors of stroke "smoking", "hypertension", and "diabetes" (14% of the patients) was associated with lower age (OR, .94; 95% CI, .92-.97)., Conclusions: Knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease seems to be insufficient. Further educational efforts are needed, as better knowledge may improve prevention of stroke and increase the number of patients who can receive thrombolysis., (Copyright © 2014 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Depression and anxiety related to stroke are caused by vascular lesions and psychological reactions. Treatment of vascular and modifiable behavioral risk factors reduces the risk of stroke and may also reduce the risk of emotional changes after stroke. We aimed to investigate whether a multifactorial risk factor intervention program in patients with first-ever stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) can influence post-stroke anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients one year post-stroke., Method: The study population consisted of first-ever stroke and TIA patients allocated in a randomized, evaluator-blinded, controlled trial to care as usual or a structured and multidisciplinary follow-up including intensive treatment of vascular risk. The primary endpoint (cognition) has previously been reported. The secondary endpoint, reported here, was changes in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) from baseline to 12-month follow-up., Results: One hundred and ninety-five patients were randomized. The estimated difference between treatment groups, in changes in HADS, from baseline to 12 months was -1.32 (95% confidence interval: -2.61, -0.04; P = 0.044) in favor of the intervention group. One year post-stroke, 4/85 (4.7%) patients in the intervention group and 12/89 (13.5%) in the control group suffered from depression (P = 0.045), while 7/85 (8.2%) patients in the intervention group and 13/89 (14.6%) patients in the control group suffered from anxiety (P = 0.19)., Conclusion: A structured, multidisciplinary, multifactorial risk factor program including vascular risk factor management may be associated with reduced HADS scores and a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms one year after stroke.

Background: A proportion of patients with acute ischemic stroke have elevated cardiac troponin levels and ECG changes suggestive of cardiac injury, but the etiology is unclear. The aims of this study were to assess the frequency of high sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) elevation, to identify determinants and ECG changes associated with hs-cTnT elevation, to identify patients with myocardial ischemia and to assess the impact of hs-cTnT elevation on in-hospital mortality., Methods: Patients discharged with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke during a 1-year period, were included. Patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (MI) within the last 7 days before admission or during hospitalization were excluded., Results: In all, 156 (54.4%) of 287 patients had elevated hs-cTnT. The factors independently associated with hs-cTnT elevation were age ≥ 76 years (OR 3.71 [95% CI 2.04-6.75]), previous coronary heart disease (CHD) (OR 2.61 [1.23-5.53]), congestive heart failure (OR 4.26 [1.15-15.82]), diabetes mellitus (OR 4.02 [1.50-10.76]) and lower eGFR (OR 0.97 [0.95-0.98]). Of the 182 patients who had two hs-cTnT measurements, 12 (6.6%) had both a rise or fall of hs-cTnT with at least one elevated value, and ECG manifestations of myocardial ischemia, e.g. meeting the criteria of acute MI. Both dynamic relative change (p = 0.026) and absolute change (p = 0.032) in hs-cTnT were significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality., Conclusions: Established CHD and cardiovascular risk factors are associated with hs-cTnT elevation. Acute MI is likely underdiagnosed in acute ischemic stroke patients. Dynamic changes in troponin levels seem to be related to poor short-term prognosis.

Background: The time from symptom onset to seeking medical assistance (decision delay) accounts for a proportion of prehospital delay in acute stroke. The aims of this study were to identify factors related to decision delay and calling the emergency medical services (EMS) as the first medical contact., Methods: Data were prospectively collected from 350 patients with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack. Data on decision delay, prehospital delay, types of first medical contact, and previous stroke knowledge were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors related to decision delay of 1 hour or less and calling the EMS as the first medical contact., Results: The median decision delay was 2.0 hours. Decision delay accounted for 62.3% of prehospital delay (median value). Moderate (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score 8-16; odds ratio [OR] 4.16 [95% confidence interval 1.86-9.30]) or severe symptoms (NIHSS score ≥ 17; OR 10.38 [2.70-39.90]) and living together (OR 1.84 [1.02-3.43]) were associated with decision delay of 1 hour or less. Moderate (OR 6.31 [2.79-14.29]) or severe symptoms (OR 8.44 [2.64-26.98]) were associated with calling the EMS as the first medical contact. Previous stroke knowledge did not affect an early decision or EMS use., Conclusions: The decision to seek medical assistance in acute stroke accounts for more than half of the prehospital delay. Severity of symptoms and living together are related to an early decision (≤1 hour). Previous stroke knowledge does not affect decision delay or EMS use., (Copyright © 2014 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Treatment in stroke units reduces mortality and disability compared with treatment in general medical wards. Early mobilization is considered one element of stroke unit care contributing to this benefit. There are uncertainties regarding the effect of this approach on different groups of acute stroke patients. In this study, we compared the proportions of patients having a modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 assessed 3 months poststroke in patients mobilized within 24 hours versus between 24 to 48 hours of hospitalization, and explored whether other factors were associated with good outcome., Methods: Patients hospitalized within 24 hours of stroke onset were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. They were assigned to 2 groups; 1 that was mobilized within 24 hours of admittance and 1 that was mobilized 24 to 48 hours after admittance. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze predictors of good outcome, with stepwise elimination of nonsignificant variables in the multivariate model. Candidate variables were mobilization within 24 hours of admittance, age, sex, stroke risk factors, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admittance., Results: Twenty-seven patients were mobilized within 24 hours of hospitalization and 25 between 24 and 48 hours. The median times to first mobilization were 7.5 hours (interquartile range 2.5-16.3) and 30.0 hours (interquartile range 25.5-38.0), respectively. Fifty-five percent of patients had a good outcome. None of the candidate variables had a significant association with good outcome., Conclusions: Neither time to mobilization nor any other candidate variable was associated with good outcome 3 months poststroke., (Copyright © 2014 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cardiac troponins have been investigated as prognostic markers in the setting of ischemic stroke with diverging results. A new generation of highly sensitive troponin assays have recently been developed that allow for the detection of concentrations 5 to 10 times lower than those measureable with conventional assays. The aim of this study was to determine the association between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) elevation on admission and mortality after acute ischemic stroke., Methods: Serum concentrations of hs-cTnT were measured at the time of admission in 347 patients with acute ischemic stroke. Clinical data and background information were obtained. Total follow-up time was 1.5 ± 0.7 years, and all-cause mortality was used as the outcome measure., Results: Median hs-cTnT on admission in the whole group was 15.2 ng/L (interquartile range [IQR] 7.5-27.8), and was higher in nonsurvivors than survivors (28.2 ng/L [IQR 15.6-39.5] vs 11.4 ng/L [IQR 6.0-21.2]; P < .001). In multivariate analysis, high hs-cTnT (the fourth quartile) was independently associated with all-cause mortality during the follow-up period, with a hazard ratio of 1.65 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-2.63; P = .035). The addition of hs-cTnT as a continuous variable to the multivariate model resulted in both incremental discrimination and reclassification of patients (C-index increase from 0.819 to 0.834 [P = .007]; integrated discrimination index 0.011 [95% CI 0.001-0.021; P = .028])., Conclusions: Circulating hs-cTnT levels are closely associated with the risk of death in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and even levels below the upper reference limit appear to have prognostic value., (Copyright © 2014 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Early management improves outcome in acute stroke. This study was designed to assess the prehospital path from symptom onset to arrival in hospital and to identify factors associated with prehospital delay., Methods: A prospective study was conducted including patients with acute ischaemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage and transient ischaemic attack admitted to hospital. Time intervals for prehospital delay, background data, severity, type of first medical contact and mode of transport were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors influencing prehospital delay., Results: A total of 440 patients were included, with a mean age of 71.4±13.0 years (44.3% female subjects), consisting of 65.9% patients with ischaemic stroke, 11.4% with intracerebral haemorrhage and 22.7% with transient ischaemic attack. The median time from symptom onset to admission was 3.0 h (179 min; IQR 77-542). The median decision delay was 1.5 h (92 min, IQR 25-405) and accounted for 55.1% (median value) of the prehospital delay. 310 (70.5%) patients arrived by ambulance. In the multivariate linear regression analysis, high National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score (p<0.001), transport by ambulance (p<0.001) and lower age (p=0.048) were significantly associated with early admission., Conclusions: Severe strokes, use of ambulance and lower age are associated with reduced prehospital delay. The present study shows that more than half of the delay is caused by the hesitation to contact medical services. Public information campaigns should focus on fast symptom recognition and the importance of immediately contacting the Emergency Medical Services upon symptom onset.

Background and Purpose: Very early mobilization (VEM) is considered to contribute to the beneficial effects of stroke units, but there are uncertainties regarding the optimal time to start mobilization. We hypothesized that VEM within 24 hours after admittance to the hospital would reduce poor outcome 3 months poststroke compared with mobilization between 24 and 48 hours., Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled trial with blinded assessment at follow-up. Patients admitted to the stroke unit within 24 hours after stroke were assigned to either VEM within 24 hours of admittance or mobilization between 24 and 48 hours (control group). Primary outcome was the proportion of poor outcome (modified Rankin scale score, 3-6), whereas secondary outcomes were death rate, change in neurological impairment (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score), and dependency (Barthel Index 0-17)., Results: Fifty-six patients were included (mean age±SD, 76.9±9.4 years), 27 were in the VEM group and 29 were in the control group. VEM patients had nonsignificant higher odds (adjusted for age and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission) of poor outcome (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 0.78-9.34; P=0.12), death (OR, 5.26; 95% CI, 0.84-32.88; P=0.08), and dependency (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.36-4.34; P=0.73). The control group, having milder strokes (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score±SD: control group, 7.5±4.2; VEM, 9.2±6.5; P=0.26), had better neurological improvement (P=0.02)., Conclusions: We identified a trend toward increased poor outcome, death rate, and dependency among patients mobilized within 24 hours after hospitalization, and an improvement in neurological functioning in favor of patients mobilized between 24 and 48 hours. Very early or delayed mobilization after acute stroke is still undergoing debate, and results from ongoing larger trials are required.

The TOAST classification divides patients with ischemic stroke into five subgroups according to the presumed etiological mechanism. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the distribution of the different etiological stroke subtypes in a hospital-based sample of stroke patients, and to investigate the association between important risk factors and stroke subtypes. A total of 210 patients with a first-ever ischemic stroke admitted to the stroke unit of Asker and Bærum Hospital in Norway between February 2007 and July 2008 were enrolled in the study. Information on vascular risk factors was collected at admittance, examination of neurological deficits was carried out during their stay, and classification was made according to the TOAST criteria. According to the TOAST classification, 24 (11.4%) of the patients suffered from large vessel disease, 66 (31.4%) from cardioembolic disease, 66 (31.4%) from small vessel disease and 54 (25.7%) from a stroke of undetermined etiology. The presence of hyperlipidemia and atrial fibrillation varied significantly between the different subtypes. In multivariate analyses, hyperlipidemia [odds ratio (OR) 2.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-4.60] and current smoking (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.04-4.08) were the only variables that were related to small vessel disease. Small vessel disease was observed more frequently and large vessel disease less frequently than previously reported. Small vessel disease was significantly associated with hyperlipidemia and current smoking. Our study supports the view that the etiology of lacunar strokes is multifactorial.

Background/aim: Post-stroke cognitive impairment and dementia may be caused by pure vascular, pure degenerative or mixed disease. The relation between post-stroke cognitive impairment and the combination of vascular pathology and degenerative changes is less evaluated. We aimed to evaluate the associations between white matter lesions (WMLs) and patient performance 1 year after stroke on tests of executive functioning, memory and visuospatial function, adjusted for the effects of lifestyle and disease-related factors, including medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTLA)., Methods: Patients with a first-ever stroke or transient ischemic attack were invited to participate in the study. The associations between the cognitive test performances and WMLs were studied using linear regression [Trail Making Test B (TMT B) and 10-word test] and logistic regression (Clock Drawing Test)., Results: In total, 199 patients completed the follow-up. The TMT B (p = 0.029) and the 10-word test (p = 0.014) were significantly associated with WMLs; however, the Clock Drawing Test (p = 0.19) was not. The TMT B (p = 0.018) and the 10-word test (p ≤ 0.001) were both significantly associated with MTLA., Conclusion: Impaired executive functioning and memory are significantly associated with WMLs and MTLA. The mechanisms explaining post-stroke cognitive impairment are multifactorial, including different types of vascular pathology and coexisting vascular and degenerative changes.

Background: Numerous physiological changes occur in the nervous system with increasing age. On clinical neurological examination, such changes may be misinterpreted as pathology in the nervous system. The objective of this article is to provide a review of the clinical neurological findings that may be caused by normal ageing., Material and Methods: The present manuscript is based on a non-systematic search in PubMed as well as on the clinical experience of the authors., Results: Cognitive functions are usually fairly well preserved in old age, apart from executive functioning, psychomotor speed and episodic memory, which are reduced with increasing age. Physiological changes related to increasing age include, in particular, vertical eye movements (upwards), vibration sense, Achilles reflexes, primitive reflexes and motor speed. Muscle power is reduced by 20-40% in healthy individuals aged over 70 years., Interpretation: A correct diagnosis based on findings in the neurological examination cannot be made without knowledge of how ageing affects the physiology of the nervous system. However, the evidence regarding physiological changes in the nervous system is limited, and more research is needed in this field.

Background: Post-stroke dementia is defined as any dementia occurring after stroke, and includes vascular, degenerative and mixed dementia. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) one year after stroke in a population free from pre-stroke cognitive decline, and to investigate the different aetiological subtypes of post-stroke dementia and MCI, using a novel method of subclassification in order to separate vascular causes of MCI or dementia from a neurodegenerative disease., Methods: All patients with a first-ever stroke and TIA admitted to the stroke unit of Asker and Bærum Hospital were invited. After 12 months, dementia and MCI were diagnosed. Sub-classification was made using MRI findings, the results of biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and the patients' clinical cognitive profile., Results: 36 (19.6%) patients developed dementia during the first year after stroke and 69 (37.5%) developed MCI. Fourteen (13.3%) were diagnosed as suffering from degenerative cognitive disease, 34 (32.4%) from vascular cognitive disease, and 57 (54.3%) from mixed disease., Conclusion: Fifty-seven percent suffered from cognitive impairment one year after stroke and only one third from isolated vascular cognitive disease. Post-stroke cognitive impairment is complex with a high coexistence of vascular and degenerative changes., (Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: In Norway, few studies have been done to map the extent of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and the consequence for patients (treatment and outcome)., Material and Methods: All patients with DNR orders, referred to the stroke unit of Akershus University Hospital during the year 2005, were identified and data on treatment and outcome were recorded., Results: A DNR order was found for 79 of 855 (9 %) patients (mean age 80 years [SD 9]). Reasons for referral to hospital were: cerebral infarction (49 [62 %] patients), intracerebral haemorrhage (28 [35 %] patients), and other diseases (2 [3 %] patients). Mean NIH Stroke Scale was 19 (SD 6) (scale 0 - 42; 0 in score meaning no stroke related symptoms). Hospital mortality was 39/79 (49 %). Apart from once, all decisions regarding withholding and/or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment were taken in the aftermath of a DNR order. For 43 patients (54 %), treatment was limited in some way and hospital mortality for this group was 27/43 (63 %). Mortality was 12/36 (33 %) for those who had full treatment. 45 patients (57 %) with a DNR order had a bacterial infection and 32 of them were treated with antibiotics (71 %)., Interpretation: Patients with DNR orders were old and had had severe stroke. Treatment was rarely withheld despite high morbidity and mortality among the patients.

Background: A stroke will often have serious consequences for the patients and families involved. Rehabilitation in the acute phase is very important for the long-term prognosis., Material and Methods: The article is based upon selected literature, in particular relevant systematic reviews, as well as our own clinical experience., Results and Interpretation: All stroke victims should be quickly admitted to a stroke unit, and rehabilitation should start as soon as the patient is clinically stable. Stroke rehabilitation is a complex process where the aim is to maximize the functional independence and the subjective well being of the patients. Multidisciplinary, coordinated programs including early mobilization and functional training in activities of daily living are the cornerstones in stroke rehabilitation. The process should be conducted on a step-by-step approach with short-term and long-term goals, according to the patient's own request. A comprehensive evaluation of the patient should take place early, followed by goal-directed planning. The effectiveness of stroke unit care has been clearly demonstrated, but more research about the different components of rehabilitation is needed. A future challenge will be to maintain the focus on early rehabilitation and at the same time introduce new acute treatment modalities.

Background: Anxiety and depressive symptoms encountered in acute stroke influence the patients' neurological outcome and the psychosocial burden of family members. These emotional changes may be caused by the patients' brain damage per se or by psychological reactions. The aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in the acute stage of ischemic stroke, and to identify the factors associated with such problems., Methods: Anxiety and depressive symptoms were evaluated in 178 patients with acute ischemic stroke using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) between day 3 and 7 after admittance to the stroke unit. Factors associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms were identified using logistic regression analyses., Results: 26.4% of the patients suffered from anxiety symptoms, 14.0% from depressive symptoms and 7.9% from both. Anxiety symptoms were associated with single marital state (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.18-5.41) and a low Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score (< 26 points) (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.31-0.87) whereas depressive symptoms were related to a low Barthel Activities of Daily Living index (BI) (score < 90 points) (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15-0.88)., Conclusion: The present study indicates that anxiety symptoms are more frequent than depressive symptoms in the acute stage of ischemic stroke. It is important to focus on both anxiety and depressive symptoms throughout the rehabilitation phase in order to ease the patients' personal anguish and improve neurological outcome after stroke., (Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: There is a lack of knowledge of stroke symptoms in the population and among health professionals. Many non-cerebrovascular diseases present with a strokelike clinical picture. The present study focuses on non-cerebrovascular conditions that were referred to a neurological acute stroke unit as strokes., Methods: In an observational study, 354 consecutive patients who presented to the stroke unit with a diagnosis of stroke were evaluated. Patients were assessed by neurologists and classified as non-stroke patients or true stroke patients., Results: Eighty-eight were non-stroke patients (25%), who were younger than the true strokes (65.5 vs 71.5). Clinical features were falls (23%), sensory impairment (19%), vertigo (13%), loss of consciousness (11%) and confusion (9%). Half of the non-stroke diagnoses were either migraine, infection, postural vertigo or sequelae after a previous stroke. In 25% another neurological disease was present, such as epilepsy, cranial nerve disorder, neuropathy, transient global amnesia or demyelinating disease. There were 6 patients with previous stroke among the 11 non-stroke patients who had a final diagnosis of infection., Discussion: Misdiagnosis of stroke is common among non-neurologists. Non-stroke patients often have another neurological disease. All stroke patients should be seen by a neurologist in the early phase.

Objective: To explore the relationship between subjective well-being and competence in instrumental activities of daily living after stroke., Design: Cross-sectional with evaluation at six months post stroke., Subjects: Eighty-two patients admitted to an acute stroke unit, of whom 64 were seen at six months. The mean age was 77.5 years, 55% were females and 55% were living alone., Main Outcome Measures: The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20 version), a well-being scale, was factor analysed and yielded three dimensions, named 'coping', 'anxiety' and 'satisfaction' that served as main outcomes., Results: Explanatory variables were the four subscales of the Nottingham IADL scale, the Ullevaal Aphasia Screening test, urinary continence and demographics. Structural equation modelling showed that the GHQ dimension 'satisfaction' related significantly to the Nottingham subscale 'leisure activities' (beta = -0.38, p = 0.01), whereas 'coping' was indirectly associated with 'leisure activities' by its correlation with 'satisfaction' (R = 0.26, p = 0.01). None of the outcomes were statistically associated with aphasia, continence or the background variables., Conclusion: 'Leisure activities' demonstrated the strongest association to subjective well-being as expressed by the 'satisfaction' dimension. In stroke rehabilitation leisure activities should be addressed when assessing function and planning intervention.

Objective: To compare the well-being of stroke patients' relatives with that of a reference group, and to identify variables related to the well-being of the relatives., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: Outpatient hospital department and patients' and relatives' own homes., Subjects: Fifty-four patients one year after a stroke and their closest relatives. A reference population consisted of 419 elderly people drawn at random from the census files., Outcome Measures: Emotional well-being was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20), and the perceived burden attributed to the care of the patient with the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI). The personal and instrumental activities of daily life (PADL and IADL), motor and cognitive functions of the patients were assessed with standardized tests., Results: The relatives rated their well-being lower than the reference group rated theirs, the odds ratio (OR) being 5.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.1-10) adjusted for age and gender. No association was found between the relatives' well-being and the motor, cognitive, PADL, IADL or other characteristics of the patients. Strong relationships were found between the CSI and the GHQ scores of the relatives, the OR (95% CI) for a poor GHQ score being 2.4 (1.6-3.7) for each unit increase in CSI, adjusted for gender., Conclusions: Emotional well-being is influenced when a close relative gets a stroke. This seems to relate more strongly to the perceived burden of care than to objective characteristics of the patient.

We studied the validity of the aphasia item of a widely used stroke scale - the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) - in discriminating between aphasia and normal language function in 33 stroke patients of an acute stroke unit. They were assessed by a nurse using the aphasia item from the SSS and by a speech and language therapist carrying out a full evaluation of the language function. The latter served as the 'gold standard'. The agreement between the nurses' and the speech and language therapist's scoring was good (weighted kappa = 0.74, 95% CI 0.51-0.97), and the sensitivity and specificity of the SSS aphasia item were also satisfactory. However, the predictive value of a positive test was as low as 0.55 (95% CI 0.23-0.83), indicating nearly every second of the positives being false positive. Using the aphasia score of the SSS as a diagnostic aid for aphasia after stroke results in a high rate of false positives and inflates the prevalence figures for aphasia in epidemiological studies of stroke., (Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Objective: To characterize the psychosocial burden on spouses living with the elderly suffering from mild dementia, stroke and Parkinson's disease, and to identify patient characteristics associated with it. Materials and methods Data on patient-spouse couples came from three studies of patients with stroke (36 couples), mild dementia (92 couples) and Parkinson's disease (58 couples). The psychosocial burden was recorded by the 15-item Relatives' Stress Scale (RSS). A factor analysis of this instrument produced a one-factor solution (CFI = 0.98) consisting of eight items with good face validity and acceptable reliability within each diagnostic group (Cronbach's alpha range 0.66-0.69). Covariates of this factor were identified using structural equation modeling (SEM) by regression on patient's age, gender, cognitive function (MMSE), activities of daily living (ADL) and depressive symptoms (MADRS)., Results: Disorganization of household routines, difficulties with going away for holidays, restrictions on social life, and the disturbances of sleep were the most frequently reported problems in all three groups. According to the mean sumscore on the RSS, the perceived psychosocial burden was similar across the diagnostic groups. In the final SEM model, a lower cognitive function of the patient was associated with a higher psychosocial burden on the spouses of patients with stroke (beta = -1.3, p = 0.01) and Parkinson's disease (beta = -0.89, p < 0.01), while in the dementia group, only an insignificant trend was demonstrated. In the dementia group, a significantly higher burden was identified on female spouses (beta = -0.56, p = 0.04). A heavier burden of care was also associated with depressive symptoms in the patients with Parkinson's disease. In neither group did the final model disclose any effect of ADL function on the spouse's psychosocial burden., Conclusion: Spouses caring for patients with dementia, stroke and Parkinson's disease perceive a similar type and level of psychosocial burden, independent of the disease. The cognitive functioning of the patient is a particularly important factor in this, especially when caring for patients with stroke or Parkinson's disease., (Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The consumption of ginseng root has increased greatly in the Western world during the last decades. Because clinical trials have indicated a positive effect of ginseng on physical and psychomotor performance, we have undertaken a trial of Gericomplex to evaluate ginseng as an adjuvant in the treatment and rehabilitation of geriatric patients. The length of stay in hospital and activities of daily living served as the principal study variables, and cognition, somatic symptoms, depression and anxiety were also assessed. No positive effect of Gericomplex as an adjuvant in geriatric rehabilitation was seen.

Stroke is an age-related disorder where nearly 70% of the patients are over 70 years of age. More knowledge about the outcome and prognosis among the eldest stroke victims is needed. We studied 171 elderly stroke patients admitted to geriatric wards for rehabilitation. The patients were assessed on admittance to and discharge from hospital, and six and 12 months after the stroke. The mean age was 78.4 years. During the first year, 19% died and 25% were admitted to nursing homes. After 12 months six out of ten patients were living at home. Our results indicate that even elderly stroke patients have a potential for functional improvement after a stroke.