北京市出院病例监测系统中急性卒中病例诊断质量评价

目的 评价北京市出院病例监测系统卒中的诊断质量，为利用数据库开展卒中发病流行病学监测提
供数据质量评价证据。
方法 采用按病历号完全随机抽样的方法在出院病例数据库中抽取15家医院1433份急性卒中病例
（2007年704份，2010年729份）。以专家组查阅原始病案资料重新诊断结果为金标准，评价诊断的一
致性。
结果 第一诊断与专家核查结果符合率为73.1%（95%可信区间：70.7%～75.4%）。缺血性脑血管病
的诊断符合率总体低于出血性脑血管病。第一诊断与专家核查结果不符病例的正确诊断主要是诊
断证据不足、头晕、既往脑梗死本次非急性发作等。
结论 出院病例数据库卒中诊断总体具有较高的阳性预测值，在利用出院病例数据库数据进行人
群卒中发病监测时应进行适当的纠正。     

Essen评分在TIA、缺血性小卒中与大卒中 患者中预测效度的比较

目的 比较Essen卒中风险分层量表（Essen Stroke Risk Score,ESRS）预测短暂性脑缺血发作（transient
ischemic attack,TIA）、缺血性小卒中和缺血性大卒中患者的卒中复发和联合血管事件发生的效度。
方法 以前瞻性、多中心中国国家卒中登记研究（China National Stroke Registry,CNSR）中连续录入
的11 384例完成1年随访的TIA、非心房颤动性缺血性卒中的住院患者为研究人群,小卒中定义为入院
时缺血性卒中患者的美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表（National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale,NIHSS）
评分≤3分,大卒中定义为NIHSS评分＞3分。采用曲线下面积（area under the curve,AUC）评价ESRS对
TIA、缺血性小卒中和大卒中患者进行卒中复发和联合血管事件复发风险的分层能力,预测卒中复发
和联合血管事件发生的效度。
结果 本研究有1061例TIA,3254例小卒中,7069例大卒中患者。在TIA患者中,ESRS预测卒中复发
AUC=0.57,预测联合血管事件AUC=0.56;小卒中患者中,ESRS预测卒中复发的AUC=0.58,预测联合
血管事件AUC=0.59;大卒中患者中,ESRS预测卒中复发的AUC=0.60,预测联合血管事件AUC=0.60。
结论 ESRS评分对大卒中的卒中复发/联合血管事件发生的预测效度最高,其次是对小卒中,在TIA
中预测效度最低,但是三组人群中差异无显著性。     

中国急性脑梗死院前延误影响因素分析

目的 分析我国急性脑梗死患者院前延误的影响因素。
方法 中国国家卒中登记数据库于2007年9月到2008年8月连续收集来自全国各地132家二级和三级
医院的急性卒中住院患者。本研究利用该数据库中的患者信息,以发病至到院时间大于3 h为院前延
误,通过单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析,探讨急性缺血性卒中患者院前延误的影响因素。
结果 本研究对来自中国国家卒中登记数据库的10 503例急性脑梗死患者进行院前延误影响
因素的分析,结果发现仅有21.58%的患者（n =2267）在发病3 h内到达医院。导致院前延误时间
缩短的因素有：老龄［调整后的比值比（odds ratio,OR）0.992,95%可信区间（confidence interval,
CI）0.988～0.997］、使用急救车到达医院（调整后的OR 0.340,95%CI 0.300～0.384）、饮酒史（调
整后的OR 0.895,95%CI 0.802～0.999）、冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病史（调整后的OR 0.786,
95%CI 0.684～0.903）、心房颤动病史（调整后的OR 0.535,95%CI 0.452～0.635）、首发症状为意
识障碍（调整后的OR 0.660,95%CI 0.561～0.776）。导致院前延误时间延长的因素：单独居住（调
整后的OR 1.760,95%CI 1.307～2.371）、自费医疗（调整后的OR 1.235,95%CI 1.081～1.411）、睡
醒时发现症状（调整后的OR 1.678,95%C I 1.489～1.891）、发病前改良R an ki n量表（m o d i fi e d
Rankin Scale,mRS）评分≥2分（调整后的OR 1.445,95%CI 1.207～1.730）、高血压病史（调整后的
OR 1.114,95%CI 1.004～1.238）、糖尿病病史（调整后的OR 1.141,95%CI 1.006～1.293）、首发症
状为失语（调整后的OR 1.380,95%CI 1.239～1.536）、首发症状为视野缺损（调整后的OR 1.458,
95%CI 1.036～2.051）。
结论 我国脑梗死患者的院前延误现象比较严重,提高公众对卒中的认识,加强院前急救系统的使
用,早期发现症状,尽可能使用救护系统,缩短院前延误时间,使患者得到及时有效的诊治。     

卒中后反射性交感神经营养不良危险因素研究

目的 本研究旨在探讨卒中患者各项临床指标和卒中后反射性交感神经营养不良的关系。
方法 前瞻性登记2011年4月～2013年1月在成都市第三人民医院神经内科、神经外科及康复理疗科
住院治疗的卒中患者。共纳入符合要求的病例127例,随访12周后分成两组：非卒中后反射性交感神
经营养不良（reflex sympathetic dystrophy,RSD）组,即卒中后12周内未出现RSD的患者;RSD组,即12周
随访期内出现RSD的患者。对影响卒中后RSD发生的相关因素进行单因素分析,再用COX回归模型分析
卒中后RSD独立影响因素。
结果 RSD组与非RSD组比较,年龄、性别、卒中类型、既往史评分、感觉障碍及焦虑没有显著性
差异;两组之间合并症评分、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表（National Institutes of Health Stroke
Scale,NIHSS）评分、抑郁、运动功能障碍、肌张力变化及巴氏指数（Barthel Index,BI）存在显著差
异;COX回归模型分析表明合并症评分[危险比（harzard ratio,HR）1.018,95%可信区间（confidence
interval,CI）1.006～1.163]、NIHSS评分（HR 1.157,95%CI 1.062～1.261）、抑郁评分（HR 4.975,
95%CI 1.839～13.460）、肩关节半脱位（HR 4.627,95%CI 2.383～8.984）及运动功能障碍（HR 0.577,
95%CI 0.358～0.930）是RSD发生的独立危险因素。
结论 合并症评分、NIHSS评分、抑郁、肩关节半脱位及运动功能障碍是卒中后RSD发生的独立危险
因素。     

卒中单元对急性缺血性卒中患者医疗质量和在院预后的影响

目的 调查中国卒中单元对缺血性卒中患者收治的现况，并探索卒中单元对改善卒中医疗质量绩效
指标及患者在院预后的影响。
方法 本研究数据来自中国多中心缺血性卒中住院患者登记研究。按照是否进入卒中单元，将
研究对象分为卒中单元组与非卒中单元组。比较两组间患者的卒中医疗质量关键绩效指标（key
performance index，KPI）和在院预后（卒中复发、联合血管事件、全因死亡）的差异，并采用多因素回归，
分析与卒中单元相关的KPI及卒中单元与缺血性卒中患者在院预后的相关性。
结果 本研究共纳入了全国1374家医院的269 428例急性缺血性卒中住院患者。其中，63 548例
（23.6%）患者纳入卒中单元组。卒中单元与较高比例的rt-PA静脉溶栓（OR 1.48，95%CI 1.43～1.53）、
早期抗栓治疗（OR 1.13，95%CI 1.10～1.17）、深静脉血栓预防（OR 1.19，95%CI 1.16～1.22）、吞
咽功能筛查（OR 1.36，95%CI 1.32～1.39）、康复评估（OR 1.31，95%CI 1.28～1.34）、出院抗栓治疗
（OR 1.12，95%CI 1.08～1.15）、合并心房颤动患者抗凝治疗（OR 1.13，95%CI 1.08～1.19）、戒烟宣教
（OR 1.22，95%CI 1.20～1.25）独立相关，与较低的在院卒中复发率（HR 0.79，95%CI 0.75～0.82）和
联合血管事件发生率（HR 0.80，95%CI 0.77～0.84）独立相关（均P <0.001）。
结论 进入卒中单元的缺血性卒中患者，卒中医疗质量KPI完成较好，在院卒中复发率及联合血管事
件率较低。     

2012-2014年北京缺血性卒中患者阿司匹林和氯吡格雷联合使用率分析

目的 通过大数据分析我国临床缺血性卒中患者阿司匹林联合氯吡格雷（双抗）的使用率情况。
方法 从北京市职工医疗保险系统数据库中提取2012年1月-2014年12月,根据国际疾病分类
（International Classification of Diseases,ICD）-10编码主诊断为I63（缺血性卒中）和G45[短暂性脑缺血发
作（transient ischemic attack,TIA）和相关的综合征]的患者,以2013年6月为界限分为前后各18个月,比
较这两个阶段患者用药记录中阿司匹林联合氯吡格雷用药的使用比例。并按照主诊断为缺血性卒中
和TIA进行亚组分析。
结果 研究期间共纳入用药记录6 296 188例次,患者总计101 587例。2013年7月-2014年12月,每个
月双抗使用876.9例次（标准差129.8）,中位数867（最小值511、最大值1112）,占比14.7%。而2012年1
月-2013年6月每个月的双抗使用649.9例次（标准差129.8）,中位数650.5（最小值352、最大值895）,
占比12.3%。2013年6月以后,主诊断为缺血性卒中和TIA的患者每月双抗使用比例分别为20.2%和
11.1%,而2013年6月之前每月双抗的比例为14.5%和9.1%,2013年6月之后的双抗使用比例大于2013
年6月之前。2013年6月前双抗的使用人数占入选患者的18.3%,而2013年6月之后接受双抗治疗的患
者比例提高至22.2%。
结论 在北京市医疗保险缺血性卒中和TIA患者中,相比2013年6月前,2013年6月后使用阿司匹林联
合氯吡格雷进行双抗的比例较高。     

缺血性卒中急性期血浆神经递质水平的 病例对照研究

目的 通过病例对照的方式研究缺血性卒中急性期血浆神经递质水平与正常人群之间的差异,同
时研究不同严重程度卒中患者的血浆递质水平的差异。
方法 选取连续入组、发病在14 d内的急性缺血性卒中患者,采集急性期的血样标本,通过液相色
谱-高分辨质谱外标法测量比较卒中组以及正常对照组血浆内的5-羟色胺、去甲肾上腺素、谷氨酸
和γ-氨基丁酸4种神经递质的浓度。同时比较不同卒中严重程度患者的4种神经递质浓度。
结果 共268例缺血性卒中患者入组,其急性期血浆神经递质与正常对照组相比,血浆5-羟色
胺（t =2.289,P =0.023）、去甲肾上腺素（t =0.0903,P =0.367）和谷氨酸有上升趋势（t =0.277,
P =0.782）,γ-氨基丁酸有下降趋势（t =－4.4145,P =0.000）,其中5-羟色胺和γ-氨基丁酸在
两组之间的差异有显著性。中重度卒中患者血浆5-羟色胺水平显著高于轻度卒中患者（t =2.197,
P =0.029）。
结论 缺血性卒中急性期血浆神经递质水平与正常对照相比有差异,中重度卒中患者的血浆5-羟
色胺水平升高较轻度卒中患者显著。     

急性缺血性卒中相关肺炎评分临床应用价值分析

目的 验证急性缺血性卒中相关肺炎评分（Acute Ischemic Stroke-Associated Pneumonia Score，AISAPS）
对缺血性卒中相关肺炎的预测效果，为临床早期发现卒中相关性肺炎提供适合的筛查工具。
方法 从任丘康济新图医院缺血性卒中急性期干预、二级预防相关登记研究数据库中选取2014年
1月20日-2016年8月31日住院治疗的急性缺血性卒中患者，采用AIS-APS评分量表进行评分，应用ROC
曲线下面积确定AIS-APS对缺血性卒中相关肺炎预测的灵敏度与特异度，验证该量表的有效性，同时
验证ISAN[prestroke Independence（mRS），sex，age，NIHSS]、A2DS2（age，atrial fibrillation，dysphagia，sex，
stroke severity）、Kwon等评分量表对缺血性卒中患者发生卒中相关性肺炎的预测作用。
结果 共纳入3104例急性缺血性卒中患者，其中有100例（3.2%）发生肺炎；AIS-APS的ROC曲线下面
积为0.737（95%CI 0.721～0.753），敏感度0.800，特异度0.611，Youden指数0.411，最佳界值为5分。与
其他评分量表相比，AI S-APS量表ROC曲线下面积、灵敏度最高，但ISAN量表特异度最高（0.759）。
结论 AIS-APS量表对于卒中相关性肺炎的预测有一定价值，可指导临床早期筛查卒中相关性肺炎。     

北京和加拿大安大略省卒中/短暂性脑缺血发作基线和住院治疗的比较

目的 旨在比较中国北京和加拿大安大略省卒中/短暂性脑缺血发作（transient ischemic attack,TIA）
住院患者的基线特征、卒中治疗和住院结局的差异。
方法 中国国家卒中登记于2007年9月～2008年8月在北京地区的11个研究中心连续收集了1775例急
性卒中及TIA患者。加拿大安大略省的数据来源于2007年4月～2008年3月安大略省的11个卒中中心的
3551例卒中及TIA患者。本研究对北京地区患者的基线特征、卒中治疗和住院结局的数据进行了分析,
并与加拿大卒中登记研究中安大略省的数据进行比较。
结果 ①基线信息：北京地区的患者较安大略省的患者年轻（64.5±12.9 vs 70.2±15.3,P＜0.001）,
并且男性较多（64.8% vs 51.6%,P＜0.001）;既往史有吸烟、饮酒、卒中、高血压的比例北京地区均
高于安大略省（P均＜0.001）,而既往史有TIA、高脂血症、心房颤动的人数安大略省高于北京地区（P
均＜0.001）。②院前信息：与安大略省的患者相比,北京地区的患者使用救护车到达急诊的比率较低
（33.5% vs 78.4%,P＜0.001）,并且2.5 h内到达急诊的比例较低（21.0% vs 42.4%,P＜0.001）。③
治疗情况：北京地区的患者中,进行影像学检查的比例低于安大略省（93.9% vs 99.2%,P＜0.001）,
并且进入卒中单元治疗的比例较低（23% vs 64.7%,P＜0.001）。在缺血性卒中的患者中,北京地区
的患者进行溶栓治疗的比例较低（8.1% vs 17.4%,P＜0.001）,然而伴有心房颤动的患者中,给与抗
凝治疗的比例两者无明显的差异（75.9% vs 75.5%,P =0.945）。北京地区和安大略省地区缺血性卒
中患者出院给予抗栓治疗的比例相近（77.0% vs 77.9%,P =0.544）。④结局事件：与安大略省地区
相比,北京地区患者住院期间新发卒中的比例较低（3.4% vs 5.1%,P＜0.001）,然而住院期间肺炎
的发生率较高（12.5% vs 7.6%,P＜0.001）。北京地区患者的住院死亡率、7 d死亡率和30 d死亡率均
显著低于安大略省地区（7.7% vs 14.7%,5.7% vs 9.3%,7.9% vs 15.9%,P均＜0.001）。
结论 北京和安大略地区的卒中/TIA住院患者在基线信息、住院治疗和结局方面有较大的差异。认
识到这些差异将有助于提高中国卒中住院治疗的质量,有助于更好地制订卒中的控制和预防策略。     

软脑膜侧支循环对症状性大脑中动脉 狭窄或闭塞患者卒中复发及死亡事件影响研究

目的 通过磁共振血管成像（magnetic resonance angiography,MRA）检查,研究不同途径的软脑膜动
脉（leptomeningeal anastomoses,LMA）代偿对症状性大脑中动脉（middle cerebral artery,MCA）狭窄或闭
塞患者1年内预后的影响。
方法 选取在首都医科大学附属北京天坛医院神经内科住院治疗的症状性MCA狭窄或闭塞患者,经
过MRA评价LMA代偿情况分为大脑前动脉（anterior cerebral artery,ACA）途径代偿组、大脑后动脉
（posterior cerebral artery,PCA）途径代偿组、双代偿途径组和无代偿组,据随访结果,对不同途径
LMA代偿组预后对比,了解不同途径LMA代偿对患者预后的影响。
结果 随访1年中有17例缺血性卒中复发事件,复发率为6.83%。共6例患者死亡,死亡率为2.4%。在4
组不同途径LMA代偿组间,缺血性卒中（χ2=7.824、P =0.0497）、总的不良事件（χ2=11.238、P =0.011）
存在显著差异。其中无代偿组卒中复发高于双代偿途径组（P =0.022）。在总不良事件方面,无代偿组
与双代偿途径组、无代偿组与ACA代偿途径组之间存在显著差异,P值分别为0.004和0.04。有代偿组
在缺血性卒中、总事件等方面均低于无代偿组（P值分别为0.021和0.003）;两组间脑出血、全因死亡
等方面无显著差异。
结论 良好的LMA可以有效减少症状性MCA狭窄或闭塞患者1年内缺血性卒中等不良事件的发生,但
对脑出血及全因死亡无影响。     

The Registry of Canadian Stroke Network : an evolving methodology

Stroke registries can provide information on evidence-based practices and interventions, which are critical for us to understand how stroke care is delivered and how outcomes are achieved. The Registry of Canadian Stroke Network (RCSN) was initiated in 2001 and has evolved over the past decade. In the first two years, we found it extremely difficult to obtain informed consent from the patient or surrogate which led to selection biases in the registry. Subsequently (2003 onwards), under the new health privacy legislation in Ontario, Canada, the RCSN was granted special status as a "prescribed registry" which allowed us to collect data on all consecutive patients at the regional stroke centres without consent. The stroke data was encrypted and all personal contact information had been removed, therefore we could no longer conduct follow- up interviews. To obtain patient outcomes after discharge, we linked the non-consent-based registry database to population-based administrative databases to obtain information on patient mortality, readmissions, socioeconomic status, medication use and other clinical information of interest. In addition, the registry methodology was modified to include a periodic population-based audit on a sample of all stroke patients from over 150 acute hospitals across the province, in addition to continuous data collection at the 12 registry hospitals in the province. The changes in the data collection methodology developed by the RCSN can be applied to other provinces and countries.     

The epidemiology of stroke in sickle cell patients in Yaounde, Cameroon

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke, a severe and recurrent but preventable complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), has not been well studied in Cameroon. To obtain baseline data towards the development of a national stroke prevention programme in SCD, we studied a sample of sickle cell patients with the aim of determining stroke prevalence, clinical presentation and management practices. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Homozygous sickle cell patients in two centres in Yaounde were screened for stroke, in a cross-sectional study. Stroke was diagnosed clinically and confirmed where possible with brain computerized tomography. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) were used to assess stroke severity. Management practices were noted from patient charts. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients aged 7 months to 35 years (mean age 13.49+/-8.79 years) were included. Eight cases of stroke (mean age 16.6+/-11.2 years) were identified, giving a stroke prevalence of 6.67%. Cerebral infarction was thrice as common as cerebral hemorrhage and clinical presentation was classical. Cerebral infarction was more frequent in patients aged below 20 years and hemorrhage in those above 20 (p=0.11). The annual recurrence rate was 25%. Missed diagnosis rate by attending physician was 25%. The NIHSS and mRS showed high stroke severity. Stroke management practices were insufficient and no patient received any form of stroke prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: Stroke prevalence and presentation in sickle cell patients in Yaounde is similar to that observed in developed countries, but the wide management gap calls for rapid action. Our situation is ideal for the study of the natural history of stroke in sickle cell disease.     

Stroke Active Guideline Evaluation (STAGE) project

Neurological Sciences - In 2005 the American Stroke Association’s task force on the development of stroke systems established that providers and policymakers at the local, state and national...     

Brain attack in Japan, now and future]

In Japan, all of the stroke center hospital equipped by high level diagnostic systems including MRI. Number of MRI is twice as that of U.S.A. Therefore, we can perform correct and effective treatment for ultra-acute cerebral infarction if rt-PA is permitted to clinical use for cerebral infarction. We are making Japan Standard Stroke Registry Study (JSSR Study) now, and already registered 2,740 acute stroke cases in 25 hospitals. Atherothrombotic embolism (artery to artery embolism) was found in 16.5% of the all atherothrombotic infarction. It suggests that diagnostic accuracy of our database is high level. Concerning with ultra acute thrombolysis, about 10,000 stroke patients per year are estimated to be treatable with rt-PA in Japan. Yamaguchi's study for acute cerebral infarction showed intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy using urokinase was significantly effective. Our JSSR Study also showed effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy using rt-PA or high dose urokinase in the patients with cerebral infarction treated within 6 hours. Therapeutic time windows for acute cerebral infarction using rt-PA is expected to be more longer by the newly developed free radical scavenger (edarabin). We must create evidence based medicine for Japanese stroke patients based on database system (JSSR).     

Validation of the Swedish inpatient and cause-of-death registers in the context of stroke

Appelros P, Terént A. Validation of the Swedish inpatient and cause‐of‐death registers in the context of stroke. Acta Neurol Scand: 2011: 123: 289–293. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Background – Quality follow‐up within stroke care is important in times when stroke prevalence is increasing and health care funds are limited. Administrative data, such as data from the inpatient register (IPR) and the cause‐of‐death register (CDR) are often used for this purpose, but the validity of such data has not been ascertained. Methods – During the year 1999–2000, a community‐based stroke register was established in a Swedish municipality. Data from that register was compared with two administrative registers, the IPR and the CDR. Results – Using multiple overlapping data sources, 377 patients with first‐ever stroke were found in the community‐based register. Forty‐four of these (12%) were missing in the IPR/CDR. Non‐hospitalized patients were less likely to be registered in the IPR/CDR, as were patients who were not initially treated in a stroke unit. Stroke severity was lower among non‐registered patients. Thirty patients (8%) in the IPR/CDR were misclassified as stroke patients. Conclusions – Quality follow‐up within stroke care could be biased or have low comparability, when administrative data are used. Great caution should be taken when data derived from the inpatient and cause‐of‐death registers, and more validation work needs to be carried out in the context of stroke.     

Stroke epidemiology, prevention, and management strategies at a regional level: Latin America and the Caribbean

Stroke is a major health problem in Latin American and Caribbean countries. In this paper, we review the epidemiology, aetiology, and management of stroke in the region based on a systematic search of articles published in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. Stroke mortality is higher than in developed countries but rates are declining. Population-based studies show variations in incidence of strokes: lower rates of ischaemic stroke and similar rates of intracranial haemorrhages, compared with other regions. A significant proportion of strokes in these populations can be attributed to a few preventable risk factors. Some countries have published national clinical guidelines, although much needs to be done in the organisation of care and rehabilitation. Even though the burden of stroke is high, there is a paucity of information for implementing evidence-based management. The Global Stroke Initiative, the WHO STEPS Stroke surveillance, and WHO-PREMISE projects provide opportunities for surveillance at institutional and community levels.     

Evidence, education and practice

Stroke causes greater loss of quality-adjusted life years than any other disease and is also one of the most expensive disorders. The burden of stroke will increase in the future due to change in the age structure of populations. We have a vast body of evidence on how to prevent stroke and how to treat stroke patients. Good examples are treatment of hypertension, antithrombotic agents and carotid surgery in stroke prevention, thrombolysis in ischaemic stroke and stroke unit care for all stroke patients. We only have to translate scientific evidence into daily practice. If some pieces are missing, it is our duty to generate them through research. While taking part in randomized clinical trials (RCTs), the discipline, an essential part of RCTs, will improve the daily care of all stroke patients. Besides RCTs there are many other sources of scientific evidence for stroke management, one of which is the European Stroke Initiative (EUSI). The mission of the EUSI is to improve and optimize stroke management in Europe through education and by offering best practice guidelines. Also national and international societies and organizations play an important role in providing education. The human factor is one obstacle to more successful stroke management because to be more effective we must change our own clinical routine. We can make a difference by applying available evidence to our daily practice.     

Retrospective assessment of initial stroke severity with the NIH Stroke Scale

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is important to adjust stroke outcomes for differences in initial stroke severity. The NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a commonly used stroke severity measure but has been validated for retrospective scoring only in a subset of stroke clinical trial participants. The purpose of this research was to assess the validity and reliability of an algorithm for retrospective NIHSS scoring in a setting with usual chart documentation. METHODS: An algorithm for retrospective NIHSS scoring was developed with written history and physical admission notes. Missing physical examination data were scored as normal. One investigator prospectively scored the admission NIHSS in 32 consecutive stroke patients. Two raters retrospectively scored the NIHSS by applying the algorithm to photocopied admission notes. Linear regression was used to assess interrater reliability and agreement between prospective and retrospective NIHSS scores. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to assess systematic scoring bias. Weighted kappa statistics were calculated to assess the level of agreement of individual NIHSS items. RESULTS: Only 1 admission note was complete for all NIHSS elements. Interrater reliability was near perfect (r(2)=0.98, P<0. 001). Agreement between prospective and retrospective NIHSS score was also excellent (r(2)=0.94, P<0.001) and there was no systematic bias in retrospective scores. Agreement for individual items was moderate to high for all items except level of consciousness. CONCLUSIONS: Retrospective NIHSS scoring with the algorithm is reliable and unbiased even when physical examination elements are missing from the written record. Stroke research using retrospective review of charts or of administrative databases should adjust for differences in stroke severity using such an algorithm.     

The National Stroke Nursing Council: a nursing call for action

Nursing is fundamental to the care of stroke patients. From the acute setting all the way to rehabilitation and community reintegration, nursing is there. Having well-educated and highly skilled nurses to monitor and care for stroke patients is crucial. Equally important is the collaboration of colleagues at a national level to facilitate and disseminate research and best practice guidelines across Canada. The National Stroke Nursing Council aims to fill this role. Stroke nurses from across Canada were invited to a national forum in 2005, hosted by the Canadian Stroke Network. The focus of this forum was to elucidate issues of concern to nurses across the stroke care continuum in relation to a Canadian Stroke Strategy. Subsequent to this forum, a cadre of nurses, after undergoing a rigorous screening process, were selected to form the inaugural National Stroke Nursing Council (NSNC). With ongoing support from the Canadian Stroke Network, the mandate of the NSNC is to promote leadership, communication, advocacy, education and nursing research in the field of stroke.