Abstract
Out of 303 consecutive patients with acute stroke admitted over a six-month period to a regional general hospital, 28% had died by three months, 30% had regained full functional independence, and 42% had residual disability that was severe (Barthel score <15) in half of the patients. Eighty-six percent of deaths occurred within the first month after ictus, while 84% of those who were functionally independent by three months achieved their recovery within one month after ictus. Independent factors predicting mortality at three months include the Glasgow coma score, speech deficit and loss of consciousness on presentation, age, a past history of diabetes mellitus, and glucose concentration on admission. Using discriminant function analysis, 83% of patients were placed in correct outcome groups (alive or dead at three months). Independent factors predicting full functional recovery (assessed using the Barthel score) at three months include age, loss of consciousness, a past history of diabetes mellitus, and the Glasgow coma score. Sixty-six percent of patients were correctly grouped. These easily determined variables should be of use in the practical management of stroke patients.