Spatial Analysis of Geographic Distribution and Accessibility of Suspected Acute Stroke Patients Transferred to Acute Stroke Centers by Emergency Medical Services in Tehran, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pir-Hossein Kolivand ◽  
Hassanali Faraji Sabokbar ◽  
Peyman Saberian ◽  
Mahdi Bahmanabadi ◽  
Parisa Hasani-Sharamin ◽  
...  

Objectives: We intended to map the geographical distribution of patients with acute stroke who called the Tehran EMS center based on the geographic information of the incident location on a map. The distributions of these centers and patients’ access within a standard period were evaluated. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on the registered data was conducted on suspected acute stroke patients > 18 years of age that were transferred by EMS. The analysis was performed based on pointing the patients’ locations and locating the hospitals in ArcGIS software plus a review of the polygons and focal points. Results: Totally, 1,606 patients suspected to stroke with a mean age of 64.89 ± 17.48 years were evaluated, of whom 947 (58.6%) were male. The mean time of arrival of an ambulance in the patient’s location from the EMS station was 11.94 ± 6.67 minutes, and the longest time was 69.32 minutes. The mean time from the patient’s location to the stroke center was 17.79 ± 11.42 minutes (range 2.4 - 83.70 minutes). Stroke centers in Tehran are not distributed in a balanced manner, and they are concentrated on the central and northern parts of Tehran, limiting access to hospital services. Conclusions: The multiplicity of hospitals in the west and center of Tehran led to an increase in access times in eastern Tehran. It emphasizes the necessity of revision of service locating, especially because the east of Tehran has a denser texture than the west.

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato Mitsunori Nisihara ◽  
Ana Carolina Possebom ◽  
Luiza de Martino Cruvinel Borges ◽  
Ana Claudia Athanasio Shwetz ◽  
Fernanda Francis Benevides Bettes

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the profile of lawsuits related to drug requests filled at the Federal Justice of the State of Paraná. Methods A cross-sectional study, and the data were obtained through consulting the lawsuits at the online system of the Federal Justice of Paraná. Results Out of 347 lawsuits included in the study, 55% of plaintiffs were women, with a median age of 56 years. Oncology was the field with more requests (23.6%), and the highest mean costs. A wide variety of diseases and broad variety of requested drugs were found in the lawsuits. Approximately two-thirds of them were requested by the brand name, and the most often requested drugs were palivizumab and tiotropium bromide. Only 14.5% of the requested medicines were registered in the National Medication Register. The Public Defender’s Office filled actions in 89.6% of cases and all lawsuits had an interim relief. The mean time for approval was 35 days and 70% of requests were granted. Conclusion Oncology was the field with the highest demand for medicines at the Federal Justice of Paraná in 2014. A great variety of medications was requested. The Public Defender´s Office represented most lawsuits. All demands had an interim relief, and the majority of requests were granted, within an average of 35 days.


BMC Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yared Zenebe Zewde ◽  
Abenet Tafesse Mengesha ◽  
Yeweynhareg Feleke Gebreyes ◽  
Halvor Naess

Abstract Background Admission hyperglycemia (HG) has been associated with worse outcomes among acute stroke patients. A better understanding and awareness of the potentially adverse influence of hyperglycemia on the clinical outcome of acute stroke patients would help to provide guidance for acute stroke management and prevention of its adverse outcomes. We aimed to assess the frequency of admission hyperglycemia and its impact on short term (30-days) morbidity and mortality outcomes of stroke in adult Ethiopian patients in an urban setting. Methods A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted among acute stroke patients admitted to Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), within 72 h of symptom onset, from July to December 2016. Socio-demographic data, neuroimaging findings and capillary blood glucose values were obtained on admission. Hyperglycemia was defined as > 140 mg/dl. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used to assess the baseline stroke severity and the 30-days post-stroke outcome, respectively. Results A total of 103 first-ever acute stroke patients were included (mean age = 55.5 + 15.3 years, 64.1% male and 65% under the age of 65 years) and 51 (49.5%) were hyperglycemic at time of admission. The median admission NIHSS score was worse in the hyperglycemic patients 14 (IQR 10–19) compared to normoglycemic patients 11 (IQR 8–15). Among stroke survivors, patients with hyperglycemia were 3.83 times (95% CI, 1.99–6.19) more likely to be functionally impaired (mRS = 3–5) at 30-days compared to normoglycemic patients (P = 0.041).Older age (≥ 65 years) (P = 0.017) and stroke severity (NIHSS > 14) (P = 0.006) at admission were both significantly associated with poor functional recovery at 30-day. Among patients who died at 30-day, two-third (66.7%) were hyperglycemic but they failed to show any significant association. Conclusions Hyperglycemia is prevalent among Ethiopian stroke patients at the time of presentation and it is associated with significantly poor functional recovery at 30th-day of follow up. This finding provides a rationale for achieving normal blood glucose in the course of acute stroke management which could have a favorable impact on the neurological outcome and quality of life for patients.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yared Zenebe Zewde ◽  
Abenet Tafesse Mengesha ◽  
Yeweyenhareg Feleke Gebreyes ◽  
Halvor Naess

Abstract Background: Admission hyperglycemia (HG) has been associated with worse outcomes among acute stroke patients. A better understanding and awareness of the potentially adverse influence of hyperglycemia on the clinical outcome of acute stroke patients would help to provide guidance for acute stroke management and prevention of its adverse outcomes. We aimed to assess the frequency of admission hyperglycemia and its impact on short term (30-days) morbidity and mortality outcomes of stroke in adult Ethiopian patients in an urban setting.Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted among acute stroke patients admitted to Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), within 72 hours of symptom onset, from July to December 2016. Socio-demographic data, neuroimaging findings and capillary blood glucose values were obtained on admission. Hyperglycemia was defined as >140mg/dl. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used to assess the baseline stroke severity and the 30-days post-stroke outcome, respectively.Results: A total of 103 first-ever acute stroke patients were included (mean age = 55.5+15.3 years, 64.1% male and 65% under the age of 65 years) and 51 (49.5%) were hyperglycemic at time of admission. The median admission NIHSS score was worse in the hyperglycemic patients 14 (IQR 10-19) compared to normoglycemic patients 11 (IQR 8-15). Among stroke survivors, patients with hyperglycemia were 3.83 times (95% CI, 1.99-6.19) more likely to be functionally impaired (mRS = 3-5) at 30-days compared to normoglycemic patients (p = 0.041).Older age (≥ 65 years) (p = 0.017) and stroke severity (NIHSS >14) (p = 0.006) at admission were both significantly associated with poor functional recovery at 30-day. Among the patients who died at 30-day, two-third (66.7%) were hyperglycemic but they failed to show any significant association.Conclusions: Hyperglycemia is prevalent among Ethiopian stroke patients at the time of presentation and it is associated with significantly poor functional recovery at 30th-days of follow up. This finding provides a rationale for achieving normal blood glucose in the course of acute stroke management which could have a favorable impact on the neurological outcome and quality of life for patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-80
Author(s):  
Destika Fahrina ◽  
Puji Pinta Sinurat ◽  
Aldy Sjarifuddin Rambe

Currently, there were only a few studies regarding the correlation between concentration of creatine kinase-myocardial band (CKMB), troponin T, hemoglobin, and electrolytes and acute stroke. This study aimed to understand the difference of mean concentration of CKMB, troponin T, hemoglobin, and electrolytes and their relationship with acute stroke. This was a cross sectional study using samples of 30 subjects who were selected with consecutive non random sampling. The subjects were acquired from acute stroke patients who were proven clinically and using computed tomography (CT) scan at Haji Adam Malik General Hospital. Demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistic. The result showed that there were no difference in demographical characteristics between the subjects. In conclusion, there were no differences in mean of CKMB, troponin T, hemoglobin, and electrolytes in acute stroke. No correlation was found between acute stroke and concentration of CKMB, troponin T, hemoglobin, and electrolytes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahisa Mori ◽  
Kazuhiro Yoshioka ◽  
Yuhei Tanno

Abstract Background Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is commonly used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during hospitalization in patients with acute stroke. However, if DVT exists at admission, IPC of the legs with DVT may cause migration of the thrombi, resulting in pulmonary emboli. Whole-leg ultrasonography (wl-US) is a practical tool to detect DVT; however, wl-US is not always performed at admission in all stroke patients. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate DVT frequency and identify significant factors indicating the presence of DVT at admission for acute stroke. Methods We included patients admitted within 24 h of stroke onset between 2017 and 2019. Patients who did not undergo blood tests for D-dimer or wl-US within 72 h of arrival were excluded. We collected patient data on age; sex; anthropometric variables; presence of DVT on wl-US; and biomarkers such as D-dimer, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and lipids. Results Of 1129 acute stroke patients, 917 met our inclusion criteria. DVT was detected in 161 patients (17.6 %). Patients with DVT were older; were more likely to be female; had lower body weight; had higher D-dimer and hs-CRP levels; had lower albumin, hemoglobin, and triglyceride levels; and had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and pre-stroke modified Rankin scale scores than patients without DVT (n = 756). In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that sex (female) and D-dimer levels (≥ 1.52 µg/mL) were independent significant factors for the presence of DVT. Among 161 patients with DVT, 78 (48.4 %) had both these significant factors. Among 756 patients without DVT, 602 (79.6 %) had no or one significant factor. The odds ratio of the presence of DVT in patients with both significant factors was 6.29, using patients without any significant factors as the group for comparison. Conclusions The frequency of DVT is high in acute stroke patients at admission. Female sex and a high D-dimer level were independent significant factors for the presence of DVT. Therefore, in patients with these two significant factors at admission, IPC should be avoided or wl-US should be performed before IPC.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina C. Marcon ◽  
Mário César Vieira ◽  
Mauro Batista de Morais

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the attitude, the practice and the knowledge of pediatricians regarding the management of the infant who cries excessively in the first months of life.METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study that enrolled pediatricians (n=132) randomly interviewed at a Pediatric meeting in Brazil, in August 2012. The data were collected by a self-administered standardized form after reading the hypothetical case of an infant who cried excessively.RESULTS: The majority of the participants were females, the mean age was 39 years and the average mean time working in the specialty was 14 years; 52.2% were Board Certified by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics. The diagnosis most often considered was gastroesophageal reflux disease (62.9%), followed by infant colic (23.5%) and cow's milk allergy (6.8%). The diagnostic test most frequently mentioned was 24-hour esophageal pH-monitoring (21.9%). The medications most frequently indicated were domperidone (30.3%), the combination of domperidone with ranitidine (12.1%) and paracetamol (6%).CONCLUSIONS: In the approach of the infant who cries excessively, diagnostic tests are frequently requested and unnecessary medical treatment is usually recommended.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narayan Thapa ◽  
Bharat Bhandari ◽  
Bhairab Kumar Hamal

Introductions: Ureteral stones account for 20% urinary stone. Two third of ureteral stones are seen in lower third of ureter. Medical expulsive therapy is effective for such stones. This study was designed to observe the efficacy of ‘tamsulosin’ a selective alpha-1 adrenoreceptor antagonist in the management of lower ureteric stone.Methods: A cross sectional study of 70 cases of distal ureteral stones of sizes 5 to 10 mm was taken in the Department of Surgery of Shree Birendra Hospital, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS) from January 2011 to 2013. Patients were randomly divided into tamsulosin and analgesic only groups. Stone expulsion at the end of three weeks was confirmed by X-ray or Ultrasonography.Results: Out of 70 patients, stone clearance rate in tamsulosin group was 28 in 35 cases (80%) and 21 in 35 cases (60%) in group II with analgesic only. The mean time of stone expulsion was 8.3 days in group I and 13.5 days in group II.Conclusions: In this study the use of tamsulosin in treatment of lower ureteral stones less than 10 mm was safe and effective.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Guilabert Mora ◽  
Alba Martínez-García ◽  
Marina Sala-González ◽  
Olga Solas ◽  
José Joaquín Mira

Abstract Objective To measure the experience of the person suffering from a rare disease in order to identify objectives for optimal care in the health care received by these patients. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Spain involving patients associated with the Spanish Rare Diseases Federation [Federación Española de Enfermedades Raras] (FEDER). A modified version of the PREM IEXPAC instrument was used (IEXPAC-rare-diseases). Scores ranged between 0 (worst experience) and 10 (best experience).Results A total of 261 caregivers (in the case of paediatric population) and patients with rare diseases (response rate 54.4%) replied. Most males, 227 (87%), with an average age of 38 (SD 13.6) years. The mean time since confirmation of diagnosis was 7.8 (SD 8.0) years. The score in this PREM was 3.5 points out to 10 (95%CI 3.2-3.8, SD 2.0). Caregivers of paediatric patients scored higher, except for coordination of social and healthcare services.Conclusions There are wide and important areas for improvement in the care of patients with rare diseases. This study involves a first assesment of the experience of patients with rare diseases in Spain.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Uttanoor Sreedevi ◽  
Gopala Krishna Alaparthi ◽  
Shyam krishnan ◽  
Kalyana Chakravarthy Bairapareddy ◽  
R. Anand ◽  
...  

Background. Due to increase in the life expectancy and changes related to aging, it is important to assess ADL (activities of daily living) in older adults. However, there is no standardized protocol available to assess ADLs. Considering the limitations of the available tools, a new protocol named Londrina ADL protocol was developed for which normative values are unavailable in different ethnic groups. Objective. To develop the normative value and reference equation for the Londrina ADL protocol on the basis of anthropometric and demographic variables in healthy individuals in the age group of 40–60 years among the Indian population. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 282 healthy individuals of both the genders between the age group of 40 and 60 and they were divided into 2 groups: 40–49 and 50–60. Each subject was made to perform the Londrina ADL protocol twice with a 30 min interval between the two protocols. The protocol is composed of 5 activities and the best out of the 2 performances were recorded. Results. The mean time taken among 40–49 years by females is 3.50 ± 0.50 min and by males is 3.73 ± 0.43 min. The mean time taken among 50–60 years by females is 4.25 ± 0.20 min and by males is 4.36 ± 0.18 min. The reference equation to predict reference values for the Londrina ADL protocol was as follows: equation (1): Londrina ADL predicted = 1.205 + (0.054 × age (years)) + (0.001 × height (cm)); equation (2): Londrina ADL predicted = 1.374 + (0.054 × age (years)) + (−0.003 × BMI). Conclusion. The reference equation for the time to complete the Londrina ADL protocol was based on age and BMI as independent variables and can be useful for predicting the performance of healthy individuals.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mieke A. H. N. Kembuan

Abstract: World-wide, stroke is a main public health problem. It is one of the leading causes of chronic disability and death. Both hyponatremia and hypernatremia have a negative influence on the outcome of strokes. Hyponatremia is associated with increased mortality and complication rate, meanwhile hypernatremia is often found in the treatment of cerebral oedema in strokes. There are scarce data about natrium level disorders in acute strokes, especially from developing countries. This study aimed to describe the incidence of natrium disorders among acute stroke patients, and the difference of means of natrium based on the severity of the stroke and on GCS at admission. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Samples consisted of 82 patients that met the inclusion criteria. The data of natrium levels were obtained from the hospital medical records. The results showed that the incidence of natrium disorders among acute stroke victims was 30%. The mean natrium level was 138.01 Meq/L (95% CI, 135.83-140.20). The incidence of hyponatremia was 28% while hypernatremia was 2%. There was no difference of mean-natrium-levels based on the severity of strokes (P > 0.05) and of GCS (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of natrium disorders among acute stroke patients was high but there was no difference between mean natrium levels based on the severity of strokes and of GCS. Keywords: natrium, natrium level disorders, acute stroke.     Abstrak: Stroke termasuk dalam masalah kesehatan utama di masyarakat dan merupakan penyebab utama kecacatan kronik dengan angka mortalitas tertinggi ke-2 di seluruh dunia. Baik hiponatremia maupun hipernatremia memberikan pengaruh negatif terhadap keluaran stroke. Hiponatremia meningkatkan angka kematian dan komplikasi, sedangkan hipernatremia sering terdeteksi bersamaan dengan penanganan edema serebral pada stroke. Data mengenai insidens gangguan kadar natrium pada stroke akut masih sangat kurang, terutama dari negara-negara berkembang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan insidens gangguan kadar natrium pada pasien stroke akut dan deskripsi perbedaan rerata kadar natrium pada berbagai derajat defisit neurologi dan GCS saat masuk rumah sakit. Penelitian ini bersifat potong lintang berbasis rumah sakit dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak 82 dan kriteri inklusi tertentu. Hasil penelitian memperlihatkan angka insidens gangguan kadar natrium pada stroke akut sebesar 30%. Rerata kadar natrium 138.01 Meq/L (95% CI, 135,83-140,20). Hiponatremia didapatkan pada 28% kasus sedangkan hipernatremia pada 2% kasus stroke akut. Tidak terdapat perbedaan bermakna antara rerata kadar natrium berdasarkan beratnya stroke dan GCS (P > 0,05). Simpulan: Insidens gangguan kadar natrium pada stroke akut tinggi. Tidak terdapat perbedaan bermakna antara rerata kadar natrium berdasarkan beratnya stroke dan GCS. Kata kunci: natrium, gangguan kadar natrium, stroke akut.


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