ResearcherID - CLICK HERE Scientific Journal Impact Factor (SJIF-2020) - CLICK HERE

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DELAY IN SEEKING MEDICAL CARE CAUSING STROKE RELATED COMPLICATIONS

Dr Muhammad Usman Ashiq, Dr Sultan Ali, Dr Madeeha Naeem

Objective: Stroke is a life-threatening condition. It is the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality and affects considerably the life quality. Our hypothesis is that the main factor behind the complications related to stroke is the delay in pursuing medical treatment after the onset of stroke. Study Design: A Descriptive Study. Place and duration: In the Department of Neurology, Shalamar Hospital Lahore for Six months duration form July 2018 to December 2018. Methods: 100 total patients (male 64, female36) aged between 14 and 75 years (45 years mean) were included in the study. In patients who were delayed in receiving medical treatment has higher complications ratio (p <0.05). 35% of patients initially presented 6 to 12 hours, 27% of 12 to 24 hours, and 36% a day later. Results: Generally, 63% of patients present minimum twelve hours after the onset of stroke. The various problems were observed in patients with 12 hours delay or above: aspiration pneumonia (87.5%), seizures (81%), cannula site infection (100%), loss of consciousness (78%), stress ulcers (92.3%), mortality rate (8.9%), bed sores (100%), deep vein thrombosis (100%) and depression (91%). Conclusion: Early management and rapid diagnosis are necessary to reduce mortality and morbidity after stroke

FULL TEXT