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Biomedical subjects

R W Ross-Russell

Publications and source records attributed to R W Ross-Russell.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Longer term quality of life and outcome in stroke patients: is the Barthel index alone an adequate measure of outcome?

OBJECTIVES: To consider whether the Barthel Index alone provides sufficient information about the long term outcome of stroke. DESIGN: Cross sectional follow up study with a structured interview questionnaire and measures of impairment, disability, handicap, and general health. The scales used were the hospital anxiety and depression scale, mini mental state examination, Barthel index, modified Rankin scale, London handicap scale, Frenchay activities index, SF36, Nottingham health profile, life satisfaction index, and the caregiver strain index. SETTING: South east London. SUBJECTS: People, and their identified carers, resident in south east London in 1989-90 when they had their first in a life-time stroke aged under 75 years. INTERVENTIONS: Observational study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison and correlation of the individual Barthel index scores with the scores on other outcome measures. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty three (42%) people were known to be alive, of whom 106 (86%) were interviewed. The median age was 71 years (range 34-79). The mean interval between the stroke and follow up was 4.9 years. The rank correlation coefficients between the Barthel and the different dimensions of the SF36 ranged from r = 0.217 (with the role emotional dimension) to r = 0.810 (with the physical functioning dimension); with the Nottingham health profile the range was r = -0.189 (with the sleep dimension, NS) to r = -0.840 (with the physical mobility dimension); with the hospital and anxiety scale depression component the coefficient was r = -0.563, with the life satisfaction index r = 0.361, with the London handicap scale r = 0.726 and with the Frenchay activities index r = 0.826. CONCLUSIONS: The place of the Barthel index as the standard outcome measure for populations of stroke patients is still justified for long term follow up, and may be a proxy for different outcome measures intended for the assessment of other domains.

Activities of Daily Living↗

A long-term follow-up of stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Two hundred ninety-one residents of southeast London, younger than 75 years, suffered their first stroke in 1989/1990. The objectives of this study were to determine the long-term outcome of this cohort of stroke patients in terms of impairment, disability, handicap, and quality of life and their use of services and prevention measures subsequent to their stroke. METHODS: The survivors and their identified caregivers were traced and completed a structured interview questionnaire that included the Barthel Index, modified Rankin Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), Mini-Mental State Examination, Frenchay Activities Index, and Caregiver Strain Index. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three people (42%) were alive, of whom 106 were interviewed. The mean interval between the stroke and the long-term follow-up was 4.9 years. Thirty-one of the survivors (29%) were severely or moderately disabled, 39 (37%) were mildly disabled, and 36 (34%) were functionally independent. Of the 96 people who completed the HAD, 35 (36%) had scores suggesting that they were depressed or had borderline depression. The most likely nontherapy services to have been provided were chiropody and district nursing. Five people had received respite care. Of the 104 subjects for whom information about their home was available, 53 (51%) had had an adaptation. Seventy-five people (71%) had an aid or appliance. Sixty-five people (61%) were on aspirin, and an additional 14 (13%) were on warfarin. Fifty subjects (47%) identified a main caregiver. No one with a moderate or more severe disability was living at home without an identified caregiver. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of both health and social service provision are likely to be inadequate for this population. The use of prevention measures is encouraging. There is a clear need for a coordinated policy to guide assessment and management across sectors.

Aged↗

Pseudotumour cerebri associated with arteriovenous malformations.

The association of intracranial hypertension and arteriovenous malformations is described in two patients. Both patients had the typical clinical features of pseudotumour cerebri and were found to have intracranial arteriovenous malformations on arteriography. The mechanism of raised intracranial pressure in patients with arteriovenous malformations is discussed.

Adult↗

The long-term results of carotid endarterectomy for transient ischemic attacks.

One hundred patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy for transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) have been followed up for 3 to 10 years (mean, 5.5 years). Seven patients have been lost to follow-up but none is recorded as dead (National Registry of Deaths) at least 5 years after operation. Fifteen patients (16.5%) have died, four from cerebral and eight from cardiac causes. Three patients had cerebral infarction with permanent deficits, one occurring immediately after operation, one at 3 months, and one at 9 years. Four patients had minor strokes but a full clinical recovery, three patients postoperatively and one patient at 4 years. Fourteen patients had ipsilateral TIAs, four occurred postoperatively and 10 occurred from 1 to 8 years later. Ten patients had contralateral TIAs and five patients then had a contralateral carotid endarterectomy. Another nine patients also had bilateral operations, three for bilateral TIAs, five as prophylactic procedures on the basis of arteriographic findings, and one for a contralateral cerebral event that occurred after arteriography. Thus, at the mean follow-up time (5.5 years) and including the operative complications, four deaths (4%) of cerebral origin and seven serious cerebral problems (7%) have occurred--an annual morbidity and mortality rate of less than 2%. This compares favorably with the commonly predicted rate of stroke occurring after TIAs of 5% per year. These figures support the argument that carotid endarterectomy reduces the incidence of stroke occurring after TIA and stops TIAs caused by emboli from the carotid bifurcation.

Adult↗