Medical Complications After Stroke

TLDR

The study aimed to determine the frequency of symptomatic complications up to 30 months after stroke using prespecified definitions. A prospective multicenter cohort of 311 consecutive stroke patients was followed with weekly nurse reviews during hospitalization and at 6, 18, and 30 months poststroke. Complications were common, with infections (24 % urinary tract, 22 % chest), falls (25 % overall, 5 % serious), pain (34 % other, 9 % shoulder), and neuropsychiatric symptoms (56 % confusion, 16 % depression, 14 % anxiety) persisting up to 30 months, and rates varied with patient dependency and time after stroke.

Abstract

This prospective, multicenter study was performed to determine the frequency of symptomatic complications up to 30 months after stroke using prespecified definitions of complications.We recruited 311 consecutive stroke patients admitted to hospital. Research nurses reviewed their progress on a weekly basis until hospital discharge and again at 6, 18, and 30 months after stroke.Complications during hospital admission were recorded in 265 (85%) of stroke patients. Specific complications were as follows: neurological-recurrent stroke (9% of patients), epileptic seizure (3%); infections-urinary tract infection (24%), chest infection (22%), others (19%); mobility related-falls (25%), falls with serious injury (5%), pressure sores (21%); thromboembolism-deep venous thrombosis (2%), pulmonary embolism (1%); pain-shoulder pain (9%), other pain (34%); and psychological-depression (16%), anxiety (14%), emotionalism (12%), and confusion (56%). During follow-up, infections, falls, "blackouts, " pain, and symptoms of depression and anxiety remained common. Complications were observed across all 3 hospital sites, and their frequency was related to patient dependency and duration after stroke.Our prospective cohort study has confirmed that poststroke complications, particularly infections and falls, are common. However, we have also identified complications relating to pain and cognitive or affective symptoms that are potentially preventable and may previously have been underestimated.