Impact of COVID-19 on stroke admissions, treatments, and outcomes at a comprehensive stroke centre in the United Kingdom

Abstract Introduction The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has changed routine clinical practice worldwide with major impacts on the provision of care and treatment for stroke patients. Methods This retrospective observational study included all patients admitted to the Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, UK, with a stroke or transient ischaemic attack between March 15th and April 14th, 2020 (COVID). Patient demographics, characteristics of the stroke, treatment details and logistics were compared with patients admitted in the corresponding weeks in the year before (2019). Results There was a 39.5% (n = 101 vs n = 167) reduction in admissions in the COVID cohort compared with 2019 with more severe strokes (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 7 vs 4, p = 0.02), and fewer strokes with no visible acute pathology (21.8 vs 37.1%, p = 0.01) on computed tomography. There was no statistically significant difference in the rates of thrombolysis (10.9 vs 13.2%, p = 0.72) and/or thrombectomy (5.9 vs 4.8%, p = 0.90) and no statistically significant difference in time from stroke onset to arrival at hospital (734 vs 576 min, p = 0.34), door-to-needle time for thrombolysis (54 vs 64 min, p = 0.43) and door-to-thrombectomy time (181 vs 445 min, p = 0.72). Thirty-day mortality was not significantly higher in the COVID year (10.9 vs 8.9%, p = 0.77). None of the 7 stroke patients infected with COVID-19 died. Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of stroke admissions fell, and stroke severity increased. There was no statistically significant change in the delivery of thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy and no increase in mortality.

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Effect of Simvastatin in Serum Interleukin-6 Level in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Folia Medica Indonesiana ◽

10.20473/fmi.v56i3.24508 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 165

Author(s):

Maria Lettisia Meo ◽

Abdulloh Machin ◽

Didik Hasmono

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

University Hospital ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Control Group ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Permanent Disability ◽

Significant Difference

Acute ischemic stroke is the leading cause of death and causing permanent disability in adults worldwide. In acute ischemic stroke, IL-6 levels positively correlated to more severe neurological deficits, more extensive brain damage and worse prognoses. The use of statin was associated with milder initial stroke severity, better functional outcome and lower mortality. This clinically randomized controlled trial study was aimed to analyze the serum levels of IL 6 in acute ischemic stroke patients who treated with Simvastatin 20 mg compare to placebo. Samples were taken using consecutive sampling method from hospitalized acute ischemic stroke patients in Neurology Department of Dr. Soetomo Teaching Hospital Surabaya and Airlangga University Hospital Surabayafrom August to November 2017. Total of 44 patients met the inclusion criteria, consisting of 22 patients in treatment group and 22 patients in control group.There were no significant difference in the characteristic of the patients in both groups (p>0.05). Averages of serum IL-6 in the control and the treatment group are 38.594±74.313 and 17.760±25.253(p=0,438) while averages of serum IL-6 post in the control group and the treatment are 46.586±103.484 and 15.275±17.183 (p=0,589). There were no significant level escalation in pre and post of control group (p = 0.205) and also no significant level reduction in pre and post of treatment group (p = 0.411), while the average difference in the control group (-7.992 + 78.912 pg/ml) and in the treatment group (2.485 + 23.738 pg/ml).

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Effect of Simvastatin in Serum Interleukin-6 Level in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Folia Medica Indonesiana ◽

10.20473/fmi.v56i3.22162 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 165

Author(s):

Maria Lettisia Meo ◽

Abdulloh Machin ◽

Didik Hasmono

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

University Hospital ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Control Group ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Permanent Disability ◽

Significant Difference

Acute ischemic stroke is the leading cause of death and causing permanent disability in adults worldwide. In acute ischemic stroke, IL-6 levels positively correlated to more severe neurological deficits, more extensive brain damage and worse prognoses. The use of statin was associated with milder initial stroke severity, better functional outcome and lower mortality. This clinically randomized controlled trial study was aimed to analyze the serum levels of IL 6 in acute ischemic stroke patients who treated with Simvastatin 20 mg compare to placebo. Samples were taken using consecutive sampling method from hospitalized acute ischemic stroke patients in Neurology Department of Dr. Soetomo Teaching Hospital Surabaya and Airlangga University Hospital Surabaya from August to November 2017. Total of 44 patients met the inclusion criteria, consisting of 22 patients in treatment group and 22 patients in control group. There were no significant difference in the characteristic of the patients in both groups (p>0.05). Averages of serum IL-6 in the control and the treatment group are 38.594±74.313 and 17.760±25.253 (p=0,438) while averages of serum IL-6 post in the control group and the treatment are 46.586±103.484 and 15.275±17.183 (p=0,589). There were no significant level escalation in pre and post of control group (p=0.205) and also no significant level reduction in pre and post of treatment group (p=0.411), while the average difference in the control group (-7.992 ± 78.912 pg/ml) and in the treatment group (2.485 ± 23.738 pg/ml).

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Abstract TMP63: Accuracy of Remote Video Cellphone Evaluation of Stroke Deficits Using California Brief Stroke Scale

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.44.suppl_1.atmp63 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Latisha K Ali ◽

Sidney Starkman ◽

Gilda Avila ◽

Neal M Rao ◽

Rana Fiaz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stroke Care ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Mobile Video ◽

Substantial Agreement ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Item Scale ◽

Score Evaluation

Background: Availability of 4G cellular network and video cellphone handsets may allow mobile videophone assessment to be employed in prehospital stroke care. The California Brief Stroke Scale (CABSS) is a 4 item scale designed as a mobile videophone test to evaluate a prehospital telemedicine instrument to rate stroke severity. Potential uses include identifying patients who are likely harboring persisting large vessel occlusions and to characterize baseline deficits prior to enrollment in prehospital trials. Methods: One bedside and one remote CABSS score were independently obtained on 15 ischemic stroke patients with persistent neurologic deficits. The bedside examination was performed by a stroke neurologist. The remote examination was performed by a second stroke neurologist through mobile video phone. A CABSS score of 1 or higher (scale 0-7) was an index of global stroke deficit severity. Kappa coefficients were calculated for concordance between bedside and remote scores. Results: The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 6 (interquartile range IQR 4-10). On average the CABSS score evaluation took 25 seconds to perform. The median video CABSS was 2, (IQR1-3) and median bedside CABSS was 3, (IQR 1-3). Based on weighted K coefficients, cortical findings (aphasia, gaze deviation/hemineglect) displayed excellent agreement κ=1 (95% CI 1.0) and non-cortical findings (facial droop, arm drift) displayed substantial agreement κ =0.7 (95% CI 0.4-1.0). There was substantial agreement between bedside and remote methods for the total CABSS κ 0.68 (95% CI 0.44-0.92). The CABSS scores obtained by bedside and remote methods were strongly correlated (r= 0.85, P<0.0001). Conclusion: Our prospective study found that mobile videocell phone evaluation using CABSS is a feasible and reliable means of examining hyperacute stroke patients in the field. A physician can rapidly perform an audiovideo examination to increase the accuracy of prehospital identification of patients harboring persisting large vessel occlusions and characterize baseline deficits prior to enrollment in prehospital clinical trials to a clinically important degree.

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Abstract WP341: Difference in Acute Ischemic Post Thrombolytic Stroke Outcomes in Pre Comprehensive and Post Comprehensive Status: Single Center Experience

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.47.suppl_1.wp341 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Vishal B Jani ◽

Achint Patel ◽

Jillian Schurr ◽

Erin Shell ◽

Julie Bey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hospital Stay ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Rank Test ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Single Center ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Multivariable Regression ◽

Iv Tpa

Background: In last decade there is a significant change in stroke care especialy with newer data for ischemic stroke treatment there is a movement to obtain comprehensive stroke center certification (CSCC) to provide enhanced complex care for stroke. This study aims to assess the single center quality matrix assessment pre and post CSC status Methods: We reviewed single center cohort of IV tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) in-between year 2010 to 2014 at sparrow health system in mid Michigan region. This cohort was dichotomized in pre CSCC and post CSCC era. Stroke quality matrics data was collected for these patients. Severity of stroke was categorized in mild-moderate vs moderate-severe based on NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) scale. Primary out come for this study was any complication, which is composite end point of in-hospital mortality, and hemorrhage and secondary outcome was hospital stay. Chi square, student’s t test and wilcoxon sum rank test was used to compare both groups. Multivariable regression models were utilized to calculate odd ratios after adjusting with stroke severity. Results: Cohort of IV tPA was identified in-between year 2010 to 2014 (332 hospitalizations off which 241 were pre CSCC and 91 were Post CSCC ). In- hospital complication was lower after receiving CSCC (9.89% vs. 21.99%; p:0.011). In multivariable regression analysis the trend for in hospital complication persisted [Adjusted Odds ratio (OR):0.43–95%confidence-Interval(CI):0.20-0.93–p:0.032] but there was no significant difference in hospital stay (Median days 5 vs. 5; P:673) Conclusion: There is a clear and persistent trend of low in-hospital complication rates after acquiring CSCC quality matrics.

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Predictors of the functional outcome after thrombolysis in an Egyptian patients’ sample

The Egyptian Journal of Neurology Psychiatry and Neurosurgery ◽

10.1186/s41983-020-00261-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

Author(s):

H. M. Eldeeb ◽

D. H. Elsalamawy ◽

A. M. Elabd ◽

H. S. Abdelraheem

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Arterial Occlusion ◽

University Hospital ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Predicting Factors ◽

Egyptian Patients ◽

Cerebrovascular Stroke

Abstract Background About 6.2 million individuals worldwide and approximately 200 Egyptians/100,000 citizens have cerebrovascular stroke annually, and only less than 1% of stroke patients received intravenous (IV) thrombolysis in 2014. Outcome of the ischemic stroke after IV thrombolysis varies, and there is lack of data about the predicting factors that contributes to the outcome of ischemic strokes after IV thrombolysis in Egypt. Objective The aim of this work is to study the predictors of the functional outcome of ischemic cerebrovascular stroke after IV thrombolysis in Egyptian patients. Patients and methods This is a prospective study that includes acute ischemic stroke patients who received IV thrombolysis at the Alexandria University Hospital during the year from February 2017 to February 2018, and they were evaluated initially by Rapid Arterial Occlusion Evaluation (RACE) scale and followed-up serially for 6 months after thrombolysis using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified ranking score (mRS). Results Forty-five patients are included; 56% had favorable functional outcome (mRS 0–2) after 6 months, 68% had ≥ 4 points improvement in NIHSS after 6 months, and 13% had hemorrhagic conversion with 18% mortality rate. High initial RACE scale and long hospital stay are associated with poor functional outcome 6 months after thrombolysis. Conclusion Stroke severity demonstrated by high initial RACE and the duration of hospital stay are the two most significant predictors with an impact on the functional outcome of ischemic cerebrovascular stroke after thrombolysis.

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Comparing the first and second waves of COVID-19 in a tertiary university hospital in Barcelona

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.73988.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 1197

Author(s):

Yolima Cossio ◽

Marta-Beatriz Aller ◽

Maria José Abadias ◽

Jose-Manuel Domínguez ◽

Maria-Soledad Romea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Healthcare Systems ◽

University Hospital ◽

Emergency Rooms ◽

Daily Number ◽

Patient Demographics ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The University ◽

Hospital Wards ◽

Second Wave

Background: Hospitals have constituted the limiting resource of the healthcare systems for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic progressed, knowledge of the disease improved, and healthcare systems were expected to be more adapted to provide a more efficient response. The objective of this research was to compare the flow of COVID-19 patients in emergency rooms and hospital wards, between the pandemic's first and second waves at the University Hospital of Vall d’Hebron (Barcelona, Spain), and to compare the profiles, severity and mortality of COVID-19 patients between the two waves. Methods: A retrospective observational analysis of COVID-19 patients attending the hospital from February 24 to April 26, 2020 (first wave) and from July 24, 2020, to May 18, 2021 (second wave) was carried out. We analysed the data of the electronic medical records on patient demographics, comorbidity, severity, and mortality. Results: The daily number of COVID-19 patients entering the emergency rooms (ER) dropped by 65% during the second wave compared to the first wave. During the second wave, patients entering the ER were significantly younger (61 against 63 years old p<0.001) and less severely affected (39% against 48% with a triage level of resuscitation or emergency; p<0.001). ER mortality declined during the second wave (1% against 2%; p<0.000). The daily number of hospitalised COVID-19 patients dropped by 75% during the second wave. Those hospitalised during the second wave were more severely affected (20% against 10%; p<0.001) and were referred to the intensive care unit (ICU) more frequently (21% against 15%; p<0.001). Inpatient mortality showed no significant difference between the two waves. Conclusions: Changes in the flow, severity and mortality of COVID-19 patients entering this tertiary hospital during the two waves may reflect a better adaptation of the health care system and the improvement of knowledge on the disease.

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A National Study of the Quantity and Cost of Informal Caregiving for the Elderly with Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.32.suppl_1.326-b ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 32 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. 326-326

Author(s):

Susan L Hickenbottom ◽

Kenneth M Langa ◽

Jeffrey S Kutcher ◽

Mohammed U Kabeto ◽

A. M Fendrick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Informal Care ◽

Annual Cost ◽

The Elderly ◽

Informal Caregiving ◽

National Study ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Stroke Incidence ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

The Us

56 Background: As the US population ages, increased stroke incidence will result in higher stroke-associated costs. While estimates of direct costs exist, little information is available regarding informal caregiving costs for stroke patients. Objective: To determine a nationally representative estimate of the quantity and cost of informal caregiving for elderly stroke patients. Methods: We used data from the first wave (1993) of the Asset and Health Dynamics (AHEAD) Study, a longitudinal study of people over 70 living in the community, to determine average weekly hours of informal caregiving. Multivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine association of stroke and other covariates and assess the probability of receiving informal care. Average annual cost for informal caregiving was calculated. Results: Of the 7443 respondents, 656 (6%) reported a history of stroke. Of those, 375 (57%) reported stroke-related health problems (SRHP). After adjusting for cormorbid conditions, social support and sociodemographics, the proportion of patients receiving informal care increased with stroke severity, and there was a significant association of weekly hours of caregiving with stroke category (p<0.01). Using the mean 1998 wage for a home health aide ($8.20/hr.) as the value for family caregiver time, the expected yearly caregiving cost per stroke ranged from $3500 to $7600, which would result in an annual cost of more than $5.7 billion for stroke-related informal caregiving in the US. Conclusions: The economic burden of informal caregiving following stroke has not been studied previously. Informal caregiving occurs frequently; associated costs are substantial and should be considered when estimating the cost of stroke treatment.

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Barriers to Providing Prehospital Care to Ischemic Stroke Patients: Predictors and Impact on Care

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x18000766 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (5) ◽

pp. 501-507 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Timmy Li ◽

Jeremy T. Cushman ◽

Manish N. Shah ◽

Adam G. Kelly ◽

David Q. Rich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Barriers To Care ◽

Prehospital Care ◽

Heart Association ◽

Living Alone ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Publication Type ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact

AbstractIntroductionIschemic stroke treatment is time-sensitive, and barriers to providing prehospital care encountered by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers have been under-studied.Hypothesis/ProblemThis study described barriers to providing prehospital care, identified predictors of these barriers, and assessed the impact of these barriers on EMS on-scene time and administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the emergency department (ED).MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed using the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-S; American Heart Association [AHA]; Dallas, Texas USA) registry at two hospitals to identify ischemic stroke patients arriving by EMS. Variables were abstracted from prehospital and hospital medical records and merged with registry data. Barriers to care were grouped into themes. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of barriers to care, and bi-variate tests were used to assess differences in EMS on-scene time and the proportion of patients receiving tPA between patients with and without barriers.ResultsBarriers to providing prehospital care were documented for 15.5% of patients: 29.6% related to access, 26.7% communication, 23.0% extrication and transportation, 20.0% refusal, and 14.1% assessment/management. Non-white and non-black race (OR: 3.69; 95% CI, 1.63-8.36) and living alone (OR: 1.53; 95% CI, 1.05-2.23) were associated with greater odds of barriers to providing care. The EMS on-scene time was ≥15 minutes for 70.4% of patients who had a barrier to care, compared with 49.0% of patients who did not (P<.001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients who were administered tPA between those with and without barriers to care (14.1% vs 19.2%; P=.159).ConclusionsBarriers to providing prehospital care were documented for a sizable proportion of ischemic stroke patients, with the majority related to patient access and communication, and occurred more frequently among non-white and non-black patients and those living alone. Although EMS on-scene time was longer for patients with barriers to care, the proportion of patients receiving tPA in the ED did not differ.LiT, CushmanJT, ShahMN, KellyAG, RichDQ, JonesCMC. Barriers to providing prehospital care to ischemic stroke patients: predictors and impact on care. Prehosp Disaster Med.2018;33(5):501–507.

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Abstract P201: Octogenarian and Nonagenarian Outcomes Among Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p201 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

RAJAN R GADHIA ◽

Farhaan S Vahidy ◽

Tariq Nisar ◽

Destiny Hooper ◽

David Chiu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Acute Stroke Treatment ◽

Iv Tpa

Objective: Most acute stroke treatment trials exclude patients above the age of 80. Given the clear benefit of revascularization with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT), we sought to assess functional outcomes in patients treated above the age of 80. Methods: We conducted a review of all patients admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital between January 2019 and August 2020 with an acute ischemic stroke (AIS) presentation[MOU1] for whom premorbid, discharge, and 90 day modified Rankin Scale scores were available. Patients were categorized by acute stroke treatment (IV tPA, MT, both or none[MOU2] ). mRS values were assessed during admission prior to discharge and at 90 days post stroke event. A delta mRS (Discharge vs. 90-day [MOU3] ) was defined and grouped as no change, improved, or worsened to assess overall functional disability in regards to the index stroke presentation. Results: A total of 865 patients with AIS presentation were included, of whom 651 (75.3%) were <80 years and 214 (24.7%) were > 80 years of age at presentation. A total of 208 patients received IV tPA, 176 underwent revascularization with MT only, 71 had both treatments, and 552 had no acute intervention. In patients >80 yrs who had no acute stroke intervention. mRS improvement was noted in 71.4% compared to 54.1% observed in those patients <80 years. Among patients who received IV tPA, 81.5% of > 80 years improved vs. 61.6% in the younger cohort. A similar trend was noted in the MT and combined treatment groups (76.2% vs. 71.2% and 78.6% vs. 79.3%, respectively). Conclusion: Based on our cohort of acute stroke patients, there was no significant difference in outcomes (as measured by delta mRS) for octogenarians and nonagenarians when compared to younger patients. There was a trend towards improvement in the elderly patients. Chronological age by itself may be an insufficient predictor of functional outcome among stroke patients and age cutoffs for enrollment of patients in acute stroke trials may need additional considerations.

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Abstract TP148: The Hydration Influence on the Risk of Ischemic Stroke Outcomes (THIRST-EXPANSION STUDY)

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.44.suppl_1.atp148 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Mohammad Moussavi ◽

Gustavo Rodriguez ◽

Joseph Alario ◽

Ravjot Sodhi ◽

Aaron Nizam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Serum Osmolality ◽

Hydration Status ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Past Study ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Stroke Outcomes ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Introduction: Extensive studies have not been done in patients presenting with ischemic stroke regarding hydration status. It is unclear whether all of the elements of hydration status affect disability on discharge. Our past study suggests that high serum osmolality has a negative impact on ischemic stroke severity. This continuation of our prior study aims to test the effect of all laboratory elements of dehydration on severity and outcome of ischemic stroke patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of ischemic stroke patients admitted between 2004 and 2009 at a community teaching hospital. Serum BUN/Creatinine and serum osmolality (sOsm) was calculated at initial presentation. sOSm, BUN/Cr, hematocrit and bicarbonate levels were analyzed for association with NIHSS and mRS. Patients were divided into two groups by sOsm as follows: (1) sOsm < 295, (2) sOsm ≥ 295; and two groups by BUN/Cr as follows: (3) BUN/Cr < 20, (4) BUN/Cr ≥ 20. Discharge mRS score was compared between (1) and (2); and (3) and (4) to determine the effect of sOsm and BUN/Cr on stroke outcomes. All data was analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results: Of 1350 patients, 543 (mean age = 72.5 +/-14.2, 56% female) were included. There was a significant difference between the mean admission NIHSS in (1) 8.57, n = 222 and (2) 7.09, n = 319, p < .05 and between (3) 8.90, n = 219 and (4) 6.87, n = 322, p < .05. There was a significant difference in the mean mRS score between (1) 2.92, n = 222 and (2) 2.54, n = 317, p < .05, and (3) 2.92, n = 218 and (4) 2.56, n = 321, p < .05. The same results were found when comparing discharge sOsm values to predict patient outcome. Discharge sOsm correlated with mRS (r = .147, p < .05). Initial BUN/Cr correlated with NIHSS (r = .128, p < .05) and mRS (r = .107, p < .05) and final BUN/Cr with mRS (r = .161, p < .001). Bicarbonate levels at admission correlated with NIHSS at admission (r = -0.134), p < 0.05. Hematocrit levels at discharge correlated with mRS (r= -0.183), p <0.001. Conclusion: Our study suggests that patients with BUN/Cr and sOsm above normal levels at admission and dishcarge have worse outcome at discharge. We also found a correlation between other laboratory variables of dehydration status, namely hematocrit levels and outcome. A future prospective randomized study is warranted.

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