Epidemiology of stroke-related disability - The Copenhagen Stroke Study

This article describes basic characteristics and primary outcomes of unsele cted patients with stroke. These patients were part of the Copenhagen Strok e Study, a prospective, consecutive, and community-based study of 1197 acut e stroke patients. The setting and care was multidisciplinary and all treat ment was performed within the dedicated stroke unit. Neurologic impairment was measured at admission, weekly throughout the hospital stay, and again a t the 6-month follow up. Basic activities of daily Living, as measured by t he Barthel Index, were assessed within the first week of admission, weekly throughout the hospital stay, and again after 6 months. Upon completion of the in-hospital rehabilitation, which averaged 37 days, two-thirds of survi ving patients were discharged to their homes, with another 15% being discha rged to a nursing home. Only 4% of the patients with very severe strokes re ached independent function, as compared with 13% of patients with severe st roke, 37% of patients with moderate stroke, and 68% of patients with mild s troke.