title: [Knowledge about stroke symptoms and attitude towards them in the population].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To know the meaning of stroke symptoms and to perceive them as an emergency is a decisive factor to reduce hospital admission delay. The aim of the study is to analyze the degree of recognition of stroke symptoms by the patients, their attitude towards them, and which factors contribute to a better knowledge on cerebrovascular diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 292 patients diagnosed of stroke were studied prospectively, following a protocol designed for data collection that included 76 variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify which variables were independently associated with a better interpretation of stroke symptoms and emergency perception.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 34% of all patients recognized they were suffering a stroke. The background that was independently associated with a better interpretation of symptoms included previous stroke (odds ratio [OR]: 3.97), institutionalized subjects (old people's home) (OR: 3.20), motor symptoms (OR: 1.92) and more serious stroke (OR: 1.05). Only 31% of all patients, 41% of whom had recognized stroke symptoms, decided to go immediately to hospital or call for an ambulance. Variables that were independently associated with a better perception of emergency included cardioembolic stroke (OR: 2.62), not having hypertension (OR: 0.48) and a correct interpretation of stroke symptoms (OR: 0.62).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only 14% of all patients have a good knowledge about stroke and correctly act when it occurs. It is necessary to develop education programs aimed at the population that emphasize the emergency when symptoms suggesting stroke appear.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Neurologia, Hospital de Mataró, Barcelona. epalomeras@csdm.cat
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Palomeras Soler
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fossas Felip
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quintana Luque
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Monteis Cahis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sebastián Salvatierra
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fábregas Casarramona
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciurana Ortells
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Cano Orqaz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sanz Cartagena
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Floriach Robert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alvarez Sabin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010343:Patient Admission; D044382:Population Groups; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors