Asad Ali.
Stroke-related complications due to delay in seeking medical care: a review of 100 cases.
Pak J Neurological Sci Jan ;1(2):70-4.

Stroke is a life-threatening condition. It constitutes the third leading cause of death and significantly compromises quality of life. We hypothesized that a major factor behind stroke-related complications is delay in seeking medical help after stroke onset. We have conducted a hospital-based, descriptive study of patients with stroke presenting to the medical units of Combined Military Hospital, Muzaffarabad (Azad Kashmir). There were a total of 100 patients (64 males, 36 females), age range 14-75 years (mean 45 years). Higher rate of complications was observed in patients who delayed seeking medical help (p<0.05). Thirty seven percent patients presented within 6-12 hours of onset, 27% from 12-24 hours, and 36% after a period of one day. Collectively, 63% presented at least 12 hours after stroke onset. The following complications were seen in patients presenting with delay of 12 hours or more: seizures (81%), aspiration pneumonia (87.5%), deterioration of consciousness (78%), infection at cannula site (100%), mortality (8.9%), bed sores (100%), stress ulcers (92.3%), depression (91%), and deep-vein thrombosis (100%). Prompt diagnosis and early management is essential to decrease morbidity and mortality after stroke.

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