Frequency of complications of stroke

Objectives: stroke is considered to be a lethal condition associated with significant mortality and morbidity due to its complications. the objective of our study was to determine the frequency of complications of acute stroke. material and methods: the study was carried out in the department of medicine,hayatabad medical complex,peshawar from july 2008 to december 2008. patients presenting within the first week of stroke were admitted. after initial assessment of the degree of neurological deficit and functional disability,patients were investigated for the type and cause of stroke. daily assessment of all patients for the development of complications was done till the discharge or death of the patient. results: out of 93 patients,58 (62.4%) were male and 35 (37.6%) were female. mean age was 59.98 (+ 11.95sd). intra-cerebral bleed was present in 32(34.4%),while those with cerebral infarction were 57( 61.3%). mean stay in the hospital was 6 days. main complications were aspiration pneumonia in 28 (30.1%),constipation in 28 (30.1%),chest infection in 27 (29%),dehydration in 21 (22.6%) and urinary tract infection in 12 (12.9%). 16 patients (17.2%) had no complication. seven (7.5%) patients died during hospital stay,4.4% of them due to aspiration pneumonia. conclusion: post-stroke complications are very common,which can alter the outcome of the disease.