Prediction of functional outcome of ischemic stroke patients in northwest China

Objectives To identify the clinical factors which predicted the outcome of ischemic stroke patients in northwest China. Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed 489 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke admitted to the Neurology Department of Xijing Hospital. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were recorded. Follow-up assessments were performed by telephone interviews or letters. The clinical outcome was assessed by using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and categorized as good (score 0–2) or poor (score 3–6) outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore predictors of ischemic stroke. Results The follow-up period was up to 47 months (mean, 28.3 months). Fifty-five patients (11.2%) were lost. Among these 434 patients, 244 (56.2%) patients had good outcome and 190 (43.8%) had poor outcome. The poor outcome was associated with old age (OR: 3.505; CI 95%: 2.100–5.849), lower educational level (OR: 0.686; CI 95%: 0.570–0.825), having stroke history (OR: 2.481; CI 95%: 1.442–4.268), and higher NIHSS total score (OR: 2.619; CI 95%: 1.584–4.330). Conclusion The results suggest that age, the educational level, stroke history, and NIHSS score are useful in the prediction of functional outcome of ischemic stroke in Chinese northwest area.