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Anthony Rudd

Publications and source records attributed to Anthony Rudd.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Risk factors and outcome of subtypes of ischemic stroke. Data from a multicenter multinational hospital-based registry. The European Community Stroke Project.

BACKGROUND: Information on determinants and prognosis of ischemic stroke subtypes is scarce. We aimed at evaluating risk factors, pathogenesis, treatment and outcome of different ischemic stroke subtypes. METHODS: In a European Concerted Action involving seven countries, ischemic stroke subtypes defined according to the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project (OCSP) were evaluated for demographics, baseline risk factors, resource use, 3-month survival, disability (Barthel Index) and handicap (Rankin Scale). RESULTS: During the 12-month study period, cerebral infarction was diagnosed in 2740 patients with first-in-a-lifetime stroke (mean age 70.5+/-12.4 years, 53.4% males). OCSP classification was achieved in 2472 (90.2%). Of these, 26.7% were total anterior circulation infarctions (TACI), 29.9% partial anterior circulation infarctions (PACI), 16.7% posterior circulation infarctions (POCI) and 26.7% lacunar infarctions (LACI). In multivariate analysis, atrial fibrillation was predictive of TACI (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% CI, 1.28-2.03), hypertension (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.16-1.65) and myocardial infarction (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.08-1.86) predictive of PACI, hypertension (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04-1.50) predictive of LACI. A negative association was observed between TACI and hypertension (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.42-0.61). Discharge home was 50% less probable in TACI and PACI than in LACI patients. As compared to LACI, TACI significantly increased the risk of 3-month death (OR, 5.73; 95% CI, 3.91-8.41), disability (OR, 3.27; 95% CI, 2.30-4.66) and handicap (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.91-3.85). CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic stroke subtypes have different risk factors profile, with consequences on pathogenesis and prognosis. Information on determinants of the clinical syndromes may impact on prevention and acute-phase interventions.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2003

Sex differences in the clinical presentation, resource use, and 3-month outcome of acute stroke in Europe: data from a multicenter multinational hospital-based registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The information on the existence of sex differences in management of stroke patients is scarce. We evaluated whether sex differences may influence clinical presentation, resource use, and outcome of stroke in a European multicenter study. METHODS: In a European Concerted Action involving 7 countries, 4499 patients hospitalized for first-in-a-lifetime stroke were evaluated for demographics, risk factors, clinical presentation, resource use, and 3-month survival, disability (Barthel Index), and handicap (Rankin Scale). RESULTS: Overall, 2239 patients were males and 2260 females. Compared with males, female patients were significantly older (mean age 74.5+/-12.5 versus 69.2+/-12.1 years), more frequently institutionalized before stroke, and with a worse prestroke Rankin score (all values P<0.001). History of hypertension (P=0.007) and atrial fibrillation (P<0.001) were significantly more frequent in female stroke patients, as were coma (P<0.001), paralysis (P<0.001), aphasia (P=0.001), swallowing problems (P=0.005), and urinary incontinence (P<0.001) in the acute phase. Brain imaging, Doppler examination, echocardiogram, and angiography were significantly less frequently performed in female than male patients (all values P<0.001). The frequency of carotid surgery was also significantly lower in female patients (P<0.001). At the 3-month follow-up, after controlling for all baseline and clinical variables, female sex was a significant predictor of disability (odds ratio [OR], 1.41; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.81) and handicap (OR, 1.46; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.86). No significant gender effect was observed on 3-month survival. CONCLUSIONS: Sex-specific differences existed in a large European study of hospital admissions for acute stroke. Both medical and sociodemographic factors may significantly influence stroke outcome. Knowledge of these determinants may positively impact quality of care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

British Association of Stroke Physicians: benchmarking survey of stroke services.

BACKGROUND: the National Service Framework for Older People requires every general hospital which cares for stroke patients to introduce a specialist stroke service by 2004. OBJECTIVE: to describe the organisation and staffing of specialist hospital-based stroke services in the UK. DESIGN: a national postal survey of consultant members of the British Association of Stroke Physicians (BASP) seeking details of the provision of neurovascular clinics, acute stroke units (ASUs), stroke rehabilitation units (SRUs), and the organisation and staffing of these services. RESULTS: the response rate was 91/126 (72%). Fifty-four neurovascular clinics, 40 ASUs and 68 SRUs were identified. Neurovascular clinics used a number of strategies to maintain rapid access and 30 (56%) were run by a single consultant. Only 50% ASUs usually admitted patients within 24 h of stroke. As the number of beds available on ASUs and SRUs did not reflect the total number of stroke in-patients, 21 (53%) ASUs and 45 (79%) SRUs had admission criteria. Training opportunities were limited: 37% ASUs and 82% SRUs had no specialist registrar. The therapy sessions (1 session=half a day) available per bed per week on a SRU were: physiotherapy 0.8; occupational therapy 0.6; speech and language therapy 0.25. CONCLUSIONS: significant development is needed to achieve the NSF target for hospital-based stroke services as few Trusts currently have all components in place and even when available not all stroke patients have access to specialist care. Stroke specialists will be required to run these services but training opportunities are currently limited. Stroke unit therapy staffing levels were lower than was available in randomised controlled trials.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

The relationship between acute ischaemic stroke and plasma D-dimer levels in patients developing neither venous thromboembolism nor major intercurrent illness.

The true relationship between plasma D-dimers and acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is uncertain as previous studies investigating this have not screened for subclinical deep vein thrombosis. We addressed this as part of a study in which we screened AIS patients for venous thromboembolism (VTE). We also assessed the performance characteristics of two D-dimer assays as exclusionary tests for VTE in these patients. One hundred and two unselected AIS patients were screened for VTE using magnetic resonance direct thrombus imaging. D-dimers were analysed on days 2, 9, 14 and 21 using the VIDAS immunofluorescent assay (cut-off >or= 500 ng/ml) and the IL test D-dimer immunoturbidimetric assay (cut-off >or= 255 ng/ml). The relationship between D-dimers and AIS was examined in 52 patients neither developing VTE nor intercurrent illness. D-dimers were elevated throughout the study. Median values at the four time points were 652, 692, 737 and 686 ng/ml (VIDAS assay) and 260.5, 268.5, 273 and 283 ng/ml (IL assay). D-dimers were higher in patients aged older than 70 years, with severe stroke or with total anterior circulation infarcts: only age older than 70 years was significantly associated with D-dimer values greater than the median on univariate and multivariable analysis. Both assays were 100% sensitive for VTE. Specificities were 30% (VIDAS assay) and 34% (IL assay). Specificity was adversely affected by age older than 70 and severe versus non-severe stroke. D-dimers are elevated in the first 3 weeks post-AIS after eliminating the confounding effect of subclinical deep vein thrombosis. The VIDAS and IL assays remained sensitive tests for VTE but the specificity was low, limiting their exclusionary efficiency in these patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Plasma D-dimers in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism.

Clinical suspicion for venous thromboembolism (VTE) mandates objective testing to confirm or exclude the diagnosis. However, current imaging modalities are imperfect because of a small but important risk of complications with invasive techniques or limited sensitivity with noninvasive ones. A diagnostic tool for VTE is needed that is noninvasive and highly accurate, allowing immediate treatment decisions to be made in most cases. Plasma D-dimers (D-ds), specific cross-linked fibrin derivatives, partially fulfill these criteria in that they are sensitive markers for thrombosis but lack specificity. They therefore cannot be used to make a positive diagnosis of VTE; however, they generally have high negative predictive value and are useful as an exclusionary test, a potentially important role given that VTE is eventually ruled out in most patients investigated. Clinical management studies are clarifying the role of D-ds in the diagnostic paradigm of VTE: negative ultrasound and D-d findings obviate the need for serial imaging in suspected deep vein thrombosis, and anticoagulant therapy can be safely withheld in patients with non-high clinical suspicion for pulmonary embolism and non-high probability ventilation perfusion scan if D-d test results are negative. More recently, the combination of a negative SimpliRED (AGEN Biomedical Ltd, Brisbane, Australia) D-d result and low clinical suspicion derived using a formal scoring system has been shown to exclude deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and to obviate the need for imaging. Several different D-d assays are now available, and clinicians should be aware of the performance characteristics of the test used before incorporation into diagnostic algorithms as these will differ between assays, and the results of clinical management studies cannot necessarily be safely extrapolated to assays other than those specifically evaluated. If alternative assays are to be substituted, these should consistently have been shown to possess equivalent or greater sensitivity.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2002

Pulmonary embolism and pneumonia may be confounded after acute stroke and may co-exist.

Pulmonary embolism and pneumonia are prevalent complications after acute stroke that overlap significantly in their timing, risk factors and clinical features. Consequently, confounding and co-existence of these diagnoses can occur and is probably commoner than is generally appreciated. Correct identification of pulmonary embolism in these patients is important as the mortality of this condition following stroke is higher than in unselected patients. Clinicians should have a low threshold for suspicion of, and objective testing for, pulmonary embolism in stroke patients with acute cardiorespiratory symptoms, even if an alternative diagnosis is evident.

Humans↗
PubMed2002

Effect of acute glycaemic index on clinical outcome after acute stroke.

Studies have shown that hyperglycaemia acutely after stroke independently predicts poorer survival and independence. Whether the change in glycaemic index in the acute phase of stroke has any effect on stroke outcome is unclear. Glycated serum proteins (GSP) reflect blood glucose concentration during the preceding 2 weeks. The aim of this study is to measure the association between the change in GSP % in the first 2 weeks after stroke and outcome. 167 patients were included. 117 (70%) patients were alive at 3 months. Admission glucose was higher in dead patients (7.8 mmol/l) compared to survivors (6.6 mmol/l) (p < 0.01). GSP at day 14 was higher in non survivors (21.8%) compared with survivors (19.1%) (p < 0.0001) as was the change in GSP (2.0 %) in non survivors compared with survivors (0.1%) (p < 0.0001). After adjusting for case mix, the change in GSP % was significantly associated with stroke mortality (p = 0.04). The odds ratio for death at 3 months after stroke associated with every 1% increase in change between GSP day 14 and GSP day 0, was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.1-1.62). Increases in glycaemic index as determined by GSP % are associated with excess in stroke mortality after adjusting for case mix. Intervention trials are required to test the hypothesis that improving glycaemic index after acute stroke improves outcome.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

The concept of patient motivation: a qualitative analysis of stroke professionals' attitudes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to investigate how stroke rehabilitation professionals understand the concept of motivation and the ways that they use this concept in their clinical practice. METHODS: This qualitative study used semistructured, in-depth interviews with the professionals working in the stroke unit of an inner-city teaching hospital in the UK. RESULTS: Motivation was a frequently used concept and was described as an important determinant of rehabilitation outcome. Motivation was attributed to patients on the basis of their demeanor (proactivity was equated with motivation, passivity with lack of motivation) and their compliance with rehabilitation (compliance was seen as indicative of motivation, noncompliance as a lack of motivation). These criteria were found to have blurred boundaries. The determinants of motivation were located partly in personality factors but also in social factors. Central among the social factors were aspects of the professionals' own behavior taken to positively and negatively affect motivation. Some professionals reported treating unmotivated patients differently from motivated ones, especially if these unmotivated patients were elderly. Motivation was described as a potentially dangerous label. CONCLUSIONS: Professionals are wary of the concept of motivation yet commonly use it in their clinical practice. The blurred boundaries of the criteria used to identify motivation mean that patients must strike a delicate balance between proactivity and compliance to avoid being categorized as unmotivated. The way the concept of motivation is used in clinical practice might have negative implications for patient care, eg, when reticent yet motivated patients are labeled unmotivated.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Early supported discharge services for stroke patients: a meta-analysis of individual patients' data.

BACKGROUND: Stroke patients conventionally undergo a substantial part of their rehabilitation in hospital. Services have been developed that offer patients early discharge from hospital with rehabilitation at home (early supported discharge [ESD]). We have assessed the effects and costs of such services. METHODS: We did a meta-analysis of data from individual patients who took part in randomised trials that recruited patients with stroke in hospital to receive either conventional care or any ESD service intervention that provided rehabilitation and support in a community setting with the aim of shortening the duration of hospital care. The primary outcome was death or dependency at the end of scheduled follow-up. FINDINGS: Outcome data were available for 11 trials (1597 patients). ESD services were mostly provided by specialist multidisciplinary teams to a selected group (median 41%) of stroke patients admitted to hospital. There was a reduced risk of death or dependency equivalent to six (95% CI one to ten) fewer adverse outcomes for every 100 patients receiving an ESD service (p=0.02). The hospital stay was 8 days shorter for patients assigned ESD services than for those assigned conventional care (p<0.0001). There were also significant improvements in scores on the extended activities of daily living scale and in the odds of living at home and reporting satisfaction with services. The greatest benefits were seen in the trials evaluating a coordinated multidisciplinary ESD team and in stroke patients with mild to moderate disability. INTERPRETATION: Appropriately resourced ESD services provided for a selected group of stroke patients can reduce long-term dependency and admission to institutional care as well as shortening hospital stays.

Activities of Daily Living↗