Predicting independent survival after stroke: a European study for the development and validation of standardised stroke scales and prediction models of outcome

• Published in: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry Vol. 84; no. 3; pp. 288 - 296
• Main Authors: Ayis, Salma Ahmed, Coker, Bolaji, Rudd, Anthony G, Dennis, Martin S, Wolfe, Charles D A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.03.2013; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Cardiovascular disease; Clinical Neurology; Collaboration; Europe; Female; Glasgow Coma Scale - statistics & numerical data; Health Policy & Practice; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Medical imaging; Medical prognosis; Neuroimaging; Risk Factors; ROC Curve; Scales; Severity of Illness Index; Stroke; Stroke - mortality; Survival Analysis; Variables; Europe
• ISSN: 0022-3050; 1468-330X
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2012-303657

Background Accurate prediction of stroke outcome is desirable for clinical management and provision of appropriate care, and potentially for stratification of patients into studies. Objectives To investigate the predictive properties of validated scales and severity measures, and their constituent variables, and to compare their prediction in six European populations. Methods We studied 2033 first-ever stroke patients in population-based stroke registers in France, Italy, Lithuania, the UK, Spain and Poland. Logistic models were used to predict independent survival at 3 and 12 months after stroke using a range of measures including the Six Simple Variable (SSV), Barthel index (BI) and the National Institute of Heath Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Predictions were compared within and between populations using receiver operating characteristic curves. A five-variable scale was developed and validated. Results Comparisons of BI with BI+age, and NIHSS with NIHSS+age, across populations showed that inclusion of age significantly improved prediction. Fairly equal predictions were obtained by three models: five variables, BI+age, and NIHSS+age. Better agreement between predicted and actual outcomes, and more precise estimates were obtained by the five variables model (age, verbal component of the Glasgow Coma Scale, arm power, ability to walk, and pre-stroke dependency). Conclusions Living alone before the stroke was not significantly associated with independent survival after the stroke. Five variables (excluding living alone, from the SSV) provided good prediction for all populations and subgroups. Further external validation for our estimates is recommended before utilisation of the model in practice and research.