[Latent period before hospital admission in cerebrovascular pathology: determining factors].
OBJECTIVE
Establish the factors determining the latent period before hospital admission of patients with cerebrovascular disorders.


METHODS
One hundred patients with cerebrovascular disorders admitted to the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona were analyzed. All patients were systematically interviewed, evaluating: age, sex, place of residence, initial condition, type of transport to hospital, vascular risk factors, past history of cerebrovascular disorders, time of onset of symptoms, sleeping-wakefulness state, initial symptom, accompanying symptoms, initial course of illness, complications whilst in hospital, clinical condition and functional ability on leaving hospital, and duration of stay in hospital. All these factors were compared according to the latent period before admission (6 hours or less, or more than 6 hours).


RESULTS
Patients with a latent period before admission of 6 hours or less more frequently had: changes in the level of consciousness (p = 0.04), motor disorders (p < 0.01), stable course (p = 0.04), systemic complications (p = 0.02) and were severely affected (p > 0.01). Patients with a latent period of more than 6 hours before admission more frequently: were smokers (p > 0.01), had a clinical course in stages (p < 0.01) and no limitation (p = 0.02). The stay in hospital lasted longer in the first group of patients. No differences were found when comparing: age, sex, place of residence, state at onset, type of transport to the hospital, vascular risk factors apart from smoking, past history of cerebrovascular illness, time of onset of symptoms, state of sleeping-wakefulness, initial symptoms and accompanying symptoms apart from changes in level of consciousness and motor defect.


CONCLUSIONS
Factors determining delay in the hospital admission of patients with cerebrovascular disorders are: smoking, the clinical picture (alteration of consciousness, motor disorders) and the initial course of symptoms.
Rey
A
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Servicio de Neurología, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona.
Martí-Vilalta
J L
JL
D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013997:Time Factors
Latencia de ingreso hospitalario en patología vascular cerebral: factores determinantes.