Efficacy of a clinical stroke score in monitoring complications in acute ischaemic stroke patients could be used as an independent prognostic factor.

BACKGROUND Presence of medical complications in stroke patients has been established. The efficacy of a stroke score in intensive monitoring of these complications in acute ischaemic stroke patients has not been studied. METHODS Eighty-seven patients with acute ischaemic stroke were assessed with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) by the examiner within days of admission; (1, 7, 30, and 90 days). Onset and types of complications were documented within the duration of the study period, using a questionnaire and laboratory investigations. RESULTS Fifty-nine [67.8%] patients in the study population had complications, with mean initial NIHSS score 17.1 ± 7.9; mortality was 39%, and 27.8% of survivors had good recovery. In patients without complications, the mean initial NIHSS score was 11.4 ± 6.0; mortality was not observed, and 50% of survivors had good recovery. CONCLUSION All patients without complications survived. High NIHSS scores, (with minimal changes below baseline) were related to high mortality and morbidity in the complications group.