title: The prognostic value of the modified Rankin Scale score for long-term survival after first-ever stroke. Results from the Athens Stroke Registry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is gaining importance as a means to quantity disability following stroke, yet little is known about its usefulness as a determinant of the long-term outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Athens Stroke Registry, which includes information on 1,816 first-ever stroke patients admitted to the Athens University Hospital from 1992 to 2004, was used to examine the crude and adjusted effect of the 3-month mRS score for long-term survival. The mean age was 70 years, 62% were males, and 84% had an ischemic stroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mortality in the first 3 months exceeded 20%, but thereafter the survival declined much more slowly (approximately 4.5% per year). The patients with worse mRS scores had a significant excess risk of death; the effect persisted when controlling for coexistent cardiovascular problems (transient ischemic attack, claudication, heart failure and atrial fibrillation).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings underscore the importance of interventions aimed at improving disability following stroke.
authors.affiliation: United Biosource Corporation (formerly Caro Research Institute), Lexington, MA 02420, USA. Krista.Huybrechts@unitedbiosource.com
authors.forename: Krista F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Huybrechts
authors.forename: J Jaime
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Caro
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Xenakis
authors.forename: Konstantinos N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Vemmos