CAN A CLINICAL CLASSIFICATION OF STROKE PREDICT COMPLICATIONS AND TREATMENTS DURING HOSPITALIZATION

The predictive value of the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project ische mic stroke classification for acute stroke complications, therapeutic interventions and disability at discharge was investigated in 297 cons ecutive first-ever acute stroke patients. More than one medical compli cation (odds ratio, OR = 2.2), fever (OR = 2.5) and dependency (Rankin grade >2) at discharge (OR = 2.3) were more frequent in intracerebral hemorrhage patients. Fever and urinary tract infections were the most common complications among ischemic stroke patients. Both were more f requent in total anterior circulation infarct (TACI) patients (OR = 11 .5 and OR = 3.7). Neurological deterioration was observed in about 10% of TACI and posterior circulation infarct (POCI) patients. Dependency at discharge was more frequent in TACI patients (OR = 10.3). Logistic regression analysis identified ischemic stroke subgroups (OR = 8.4) a nd medical complications (OR = 3.8) as predictors of poor outcome (Ran kin score greater than or equal to 4). A clinical classification is us eful to predict possible medical and neurological complications in the acute phase, death and dependency at discharge.