Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of age on management and prognosis
of stroke.
Methods
A retrospective study was performed in consecutive patients admitted to an emergency
department (ED) with a diagnosis of stroke. Comparison according to age (<75 vs ≥75
years old) was done, with a 1-year follow-up including autonomy and outcome.
Results
In older patients, brain magnetic resonance imaging (6% vs 27%, P < .001) and immediate referral to the stroke unit were less frequent (6% vs 28%,
P < .001); median length of stay was longer (11 vs 8 days, P = .007); and in-hospital mortality tended to be higher (12% vs 6%, not significant).
After discharge, 1-year mortality was higher (27% vs 14%, P = .004). In a multivariate analysis, severity of stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and
dementia were independent positive predictors of 1-year mortality, whereas age was
not.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that age was not an independent predictor when stroke severity was
considered, our data suggest differences in the management of elderly compared with
younger stroke patients admitted to the ED.
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Article Info
Publication History
Accepted:
October 14,
2007
Received in revised form:
October 13,
2007
Received:
June 19,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
