Medical complications after stroke: a multicenter study.
OBJECTIVE
This prospective, multicenter study was performed to determine the frequency of symptomatic complications up to 30 months after stroke using prespecified definitions of complications.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Langhorne
P
P
Academic Section of Geriatric Medicine, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. P.Langhorne@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
Stott
D J
DJ
Robertson
L
L
MacDonald
J
J
Jones
L
L
McAlpine
C
C
Dick
F
F
Taylor
G S
GS
Murray
G
G
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors