Frequency of complications in hospitalized stroke patients

Objective: to determine the frequency and type of medical complications following stroke in hospitalized patients using pre specified definition of complications. study design: observational study. place and duration of study: we recruited 100 consecutive stroke patients admitted in sir ganga ram hospital,lahore from april 2009 - september 2009. subject and method: a total of 100 stroke patient fulfilling the inclusion criterion were enrolled in the study. after the clinical assessment and ct scan brain,these patient were observed for symptomatic post stroke complication on daily basis until discharge from hospital or death and on readmission within six months. results: complications during hospital admission were recoded in 87(87%) patients. specified complications were as follows. recurrent stroke (9%) epileptic seizure (9%) urinary tract infections (26%) chest infections (28%) pressure sores (40%) shoulder pain (40%) depression (21%) falls (5%) thromboembolism (5%). deaths during hospital stay occurred in 12(12%) patients including those with severe disease and complications with severe neurological disease (8%) and complications (4%). conclusion: our study confirmed the post stroke complications particularly infections,pain and pressure sores. we also identified psychological problems related with stroke. early recognition and treatment of these potentially preventable complications can minimize the disability and mortality.