Introduction
Definition
“Acute stroke is defined as abrupt onset of focal neurological deficit that is attributable to a focal vascular cause.” 1
Impact of stroke
The direct and indirect cost of acute stroke in united states alone was approximated to be $56.8 million in the year 2005. Every year in us more than 7,00, 000 people have stroke, one third in that are recurrent events. There was about 6.2million stroke death in the year 2015, making it the second leading cause of death worldwide.2 Strokes are even more important because of prolonged disability they cause. The history of world has undoubtedly been altered by stroke. Many important leaders in science, medicine and politics have had their productivity cut permanently or prematurely short by stroke.2 Among the stroke survivors around 15% and 30% become permanently disabled, while 20% of them remain in institutional care three months after the stroke. The economical and psychological costs of stroke are enormous.
Stroke diagnosis and outcome prediction
STROKE MIMICS Diagnosis of stroke is not easy always. Diagnosis is difficult if patient presents with altered level consciousness. Many conditions can present like TIA or stroke. Seizures, infection, neoplasms, intracranial haemorrhage, hypoglycemia and other metabolic abnormalities are some of the conditions mimicing a stroke and TIA.3, 4, 5 National Institutes of Health stroke Scale (NIHSS) was found to be helpful both in diagnosis of stroke and in stratifying patients, so that outcome could be predicted and also to decide for acute intervention. Among various stroke scales, NIHSS has been studied extensively and its reliability and validity are well documented in scientific literature.6 So NIHSS was selected for this study and used on patients diagnosed with stroke and its consistency with the diagnosis of stroke and its usefulness in assessing the outcome was studied and confirmed.
National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
Table 1
National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
Aims and Objectives
To study the clinical profile, note the baseline NIHSS score and to find out the significance of the national institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS) score on the day of admission in predicting the severity and outcome on 30th day, in acute stroke patients
Materials and Methods
Source of data
The information for the study will be collected from Patients with Acute Stroke admitted to BLDEU’S Shri B. M. Patil medical college and hospital and Research centre, Vijayapur, between December 2017 to June 2019.
Method
Observational prospective study using National institute of health stroke scale to diagnose and assess outcome of acute stroke using it. NIHSS applied on patients diagnosed with stroke, two scores were obtained for each patient, one on day of admission another after 30 days .NIHSS score at the day of admission and after 30 days of admission were noted and statistically analyzed.
Sample size
• With 95% confidence level and margin of error of ±7.5%, a sample size of 93 subjects will allow the study to determine the predictive value of NIHSS in diagnosis and outcome of stroke with finite population correction.
• By using the formula:
• n = z2p(1-p)
d2
where
• Z= z statistic at 5% level of significance
• d is margin of error
• p is anticipated prevalence rate
Statistical analysis
All characteristics will be summarized descriptively. For continuous variables, the summary statistics of N, mean, standard deviation (SD) will be used. For categorical data, the number and percentage will be used in the data summaries and data will be analyzed by Chi square test for association, comparison of means using t test, ANOVA and diagrammatic presentation.
Study design
Patients diagnosed to have stroke by CT/DW MRI, NIHSS scoring is done on the day of admission.
Based on the NIHSS score severity is assessed at the time of admission, 1-4 indicates minor stroke, 5-15 indicates moderate stroke, 16-20 indicates moderate to severe stroke, 21-42 indicates severe stroke.
Estimation of Complete hemogram, Urine routine, Renal function test, ECG, Chest X-ray, RBS, HbA1C and 2D Echo,CT/MRI scan done at the time of admission.
Patients are followed up after one month, NIHSS score after 30 days of stroke is noted.
After 30 days of stroke the patient is independent at home or requires assistance is noted.
Results and Observation
Table 2
Distribution of cases according to age
|
Age (Yrs.) |
N |
% |
|
≤40 |
4 |
4.3 |
|
41-50 |
9 |
9.7 |
|
51-60 |
26 |
28 |
|
61-70 |
34 |
36.6 |
|
71-80 |
12 |
12.9 |
|
>80 |
8 |
8.6 |
|
Total |
93 |
100 |
Age group of the patient ranged from 26yrs to 90 years, with mean age group 63.3+11.8, maximum number of patients were in the age group of 60-70 years
In this study, There were 63 (67.7) male patients and 30(32.3) female patients. There is male preponderance with male to female ratio 2.1:1 respectively.
Table 4
Association of age and sex
|
Age (yrs.) |
Male |
Female |
p value |
||
|
N |
% |
N |
% |
||
|
≤40 |
2 |
3.2% |
2 |
6.7% |
0.772 |
|
41-50 |
6 |
9.5% |
3 |
10.0% |
|
|
51-60 |
20 |
31.7% |
6 |
20.0% |
|
|
61-70 |
21 |
33.3% |
13 |
43.3% |
|
|
71-80 |
9 |
14.3% |
3 |
10.0% |
|
|
>80 |
5 |
7.9% |
3 |
10.0% |
|
|
Total |
63 |
100.0% |
30 |
100.0% |
|
Table 5
Distribution of cases according to risk factors
|
Risk Factors |
N |
% |
|
DM |
45 |
48.4 |
|
HTN |
54 |
58.1 |
|
Smoking |
35 |
37.6 |
|
Alcohol |
31 |
33.3 |
|
Tobacco |
42 |
45.2 |
|
DYSL |
15 |
16.1 |
|
IHD |
4 |
4.3 |
|
RHD |
3 |
3.2 |
In this study, hypertension is the major risk factor, followed by diabetes mellitus, tobacco chewing and smoking etc.
Table 6
Distribution of cases according to clinical presentation
|
Clinical presentation |
N |
% |
|
Motor deficit |
84 |
90.3 |
|
Sensory deficit |
6 |
6.5 |
|
Altered senosorium |
54 |
58.1 |
|
Cranial nerve involvement |
53 |
57 |
|
Language disturbance |
46 |
49.5 |
|
Headache |
7 |
7.5 |
|
Seizures |
8 |
8.6 |
In this study most common presentation is with motor deficit, followed by altered sensorium, cranial nerve involvement etc.
Table 7
Distribution of cases according to infarct/hemorrhage
|
Infarct/Hemorrhage |
N |
% |
|
Infarct |
86 |
92.5 |
|
Hemorrhage |
7 |
7.5 |
|
Total |
93 |
100 |
In this study, 7.5% patients had hemorrhagic stroke and 92.5% patients had ischemic stroke.
Table 8
Distribution of cases according to NIHSS at admission
|
NIHSS at dmission |
|
N |
% |
|
1-4 |
Minor stroke |
3 |
3.2 |
|
5-15 |
Moderate stroke |
73 |
78.5 |
|
16-20 |
Moderate to severe stroke |
7 |
7.5 |
|
21-42 |
Severe stroke |
10 |
10.8 |
|
Total |
|
93 |
100 |
In this study, 3 patients had minor stroke, 73 patients had moderate stroke, 7 patients had moderate to severe stroke and 10 patients had severe stroke.
Table 9
Distribution of cases according to NIHSS after 1 month
|
NIHSS after 1 month |
N |
% |
|
1-4 |
11 |
12.8 |
|
5-15 |
69 |
80.2 |
|
16-20 |
4 |
4.7 |
|
21-42 |
2 |
2.3 |
|
Total |
86 |
100 |
Table 10
Mean NIHSS between admission and after 1 month
|
NIHSS |
Min |
Max |
Mean |
SD |
p value |
|
At admission |
4 |
29 |
11.7 |
5.7 |
<0.001* |
|
After 1 month |
0 |
23 |
8.9 |
4.4 |
Table 11
Association of age and nihss at admission
In this study, as the age increases the percentage of patients having moderate and severe stroke increases.
Table 12
Association of age and NIHSS after 1 month
Table 13
Distribution of cases according to independent/assistance required
|
Independent/assistance required |
N |
% |
|
Death |
7 |
7.5 |
|
Assistance required |
35 |
37.6 |
|
Independent |
51 |
54.8 |
|
Total |
93 |
100 |
In this study, 7.5% had died at one month, 54.8% were independent at home and 37.6% patients required assistance at the end of one month.
Table 14
Association of independent/assistance required and NIHSS at admission
In this study, after 1 month of stroke among 3 patients who had baseline NIHSS score 1-4, all 3(100%) are independent at home, among 73 patients who had baseline NIHSS score 5-15, 47(64.4%) are independent and 26(35.6%) required assistance, among 7 patients who had score 16-20, 1 (14.3%) patient was independent at home, 6(85.7%) required assistance, and among 10 patients who had score more than 20, 7(70%) died, 3(30%) required assistance and none of them are home independent.
Table 15
Association of independent/assistance required and NIHSS after 1 month
In this study, the patients who were independent at home after one month had less NIHSS score compared to patients who required assistance.
Table 16
Descriptive parameters of blood glucose and HbA1C
|
|
Min |
Max |
Mean |
SD |
|
Blood glucose on admission |
80 |
420 |
196.1 |
82.4 |
|
HbA1C |
4.5 |
12.8 |
7.3 |
2.0 |
Table 17
Association of HbA1C levels and NIHSS at admission
In this study, the severity of the stroke is more with poorly controlled diabetes.
Discussion
Stroke is a global epidemic and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. It is the second most common cause of death and may soon become the leading cause of death worldwide.
Stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage, complications and death. In view of the long-term disabilities caused by stroke the need for an accurate early prediction of future functional abilities is paramount for setting therapeutic goals, starting early rehabilitation, planning of implementing home adjustments and community support tailored to patients needs, and informing patients about their prospects and prognosis.
The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a well-validated, reliable scoring system for use specifically with stroke patients. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) can be used as a standard measurement instrument by physicians to evaluate the severity of a patient and outcome.
This study is assessment of outcome of acute stroke using national institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS).
93 patients admitted to Shri B.M.Patil Medical College Vijayapur, who met inclusion criteria were included in the study, age group of the patient ranged from 26yrs to 90 years, with mean age group 63.3+11.8, maximum number of patients were in the age group of 61-70 years. Age is non modifiable risk factor that correlates best with stroke.
There were 63 (67.7) male patients and 30(32.3) female patients with male to female ratio 2.1:1 respectively. Stroke is common in men than in women.
In our study 7 patients (7.5%) had hemorrhagic stroke and 86 (92.5%) had ischemic stroke. Analysis of data from large stroke studies shows approximately 80% of all stroke are ischemic and 20%are hemorrhagic.
In this study common risk factors were diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, tobacco chewing, alcoholism, ischemic heart disease, rheumatic heart disease.
The clinical severity of stroke and outcome after one month of stroke is measured using NIHSS score on admission and after one month.
In this study the patients diagnosed with stroke are further divided in to minor stroke (NIHSS 1-4), moderate stroke (NIHSS 5-15) moderate to severe stroke (NIHSS 16-20) and severe stroke (NIHSS 21-42) based on baseline NIHSS score.
3.2% patients had minor stroke, 78.5% patients had moderate stroke, 7.5% patients had moderate to severe stroke and 10.8% patients had severe stroke.
Analyzing NIHSS score and age it shows that as the age increases the percentage of patients having moderate and severe stroke increases. For example only 29% of patients had moderate stroke in 41-50 age group while 61-70% had moderate to severe stroke in 61-70 age group.
NIHSS score after 1 month of stroke shows that 11(11.8%) patients had score between 1-4, 69 (74.19%) patients had score between 5-15, 4 (4.3%) patients had score between 16-20, 2 (2.15%) patients had score 21-42, and 7 (7.52%) patients died.
After 1 month of stroke, 35 (37.6%) patients were home independent, 51(54.8%) patients required assistance at home and 7(7.5%) patients had died.
Among 35 patients who were home independent at one month of stroke, 3 patients had score 1-4, 47 had score 5-15, 1 had score 16-20 and none had score more than 20.
Among 51 patients who required assistance at one month following stroke, 26 patients had score 5-15, 6 had score 16-20, 3 had score more than 20 and none of them had score less than 5. And all the 7 patients who had died had score more than 20.
In other way after 1 month of stroke, among 3 patients who had baseline NIHSS score 1-4, all 3(100%) are independent at home, among 73 patients who had baseline NIHSS score 5-15, 47(64.4%) are independent and 26(35.6%) required assistance, among 7 patients who had score 16-20, 1(14.3%) patient was independent at home, 6(85.7%) required assistance, and among 10 patients who had score more than 20, 7(70%) died, 3(30%) required assistance and none of them are home independent.
No patient with NIHSS score less than 20 died, all the patients who died had severe stroke (NIHSS>20).
In this study the results shows that the patients with the NIHSS score >= 16 have high chance of severe disability or death. Whereas patients with score <16 have chances for better recovery.
In this study patient HBA1C ranged from 4.5gm% to 12.8gm%. Among 3 patients who had minor stroke (NIHSS 1-4), all 3 had HBA1C less than 6%. Among 73 patients with moderate stroke (NIHSS 5-15), 33(45.2%) had HBA1C <6%, 32(43.8%) had HBA1C 6-9, 8(11%) had HBA1C >9%. Among 7 patients who had moderate to severe stroke (NIHSS 16-20) 1 had HBA1C 6-9%, 6(85.7%) had HBA1C >9% none had HBA1C <6%. Shows that the severity of the stroke, so as the NIHSS score increases with increasing HBA1C level.
Summary
As the age increases incidence of stroke increases, age is the independent risk factor for acute stroke.
Maximum numbers of patients were in the age group of 60-70
Stroke is more common in males (67.7%) compared to females (32.3%), with male :female ratio of 2.1:1. In the same way multiple risk factors are common in males compared to females.
Systemic hypertension was the most common risk factor associated with stroke (58.1%) followed by diabetes mellitus (48.4%) and smoking (37.6%).
Motor deficit is the most common presentation followed by altered sensorium and speech disturbance
NIHSS is most helpful in identifying patients with acute stroke
NIHSS is helpful in assessment and stratification and further course of management. Among patients identified with stroke most had moderate stroke compared to moderate to severe stroke and severe stroke.
The NIHSS score on day of admission predicts the outcome of stroke, lesser the score better the outcome of stroke. And all the patients who had died had NIHSS score more than 20.
Increased severity of the stroke is seen in poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
Medical and paramedical staff can be trained to administer NIHSS for early recognition and effective treatment of acute stroke.
Conclusion
NIHSS score correlates well with the diagnosis and severity of the stroke
Baseline NIHSS score is helpful in assessment and stratification of the stroke patients and also helps in further course of management of stroke.
Baseline NIHSS score helps in predicting the outcome of the patient. Lesser the baseline score better will be the outcome.
HBA1C levels correlate well with the severity of the stroke and NIHSS on admission
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