Diagnosis of stroke by the nonneurologist - A validation study

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1998

Authors

Ferro, JM (Author) Other; Pinto, AN (Author) Other; Falcao, I (Author) Other; Rodrigues, G (Author) Other; Ferreira, J (Author) Other; Falcao, F (Author) Other; Elsa Azevedo (Author) Other; Canhao, P (Author) Other; Melo, TP (Author) Other; Rosas, MJ (Author) Other; Oliveira, V (Author) Other; Salgado, AV (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Stroke

Vol. 29

Pages: 1106-1109

ISSN: 0039-2499

Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 72 Citations

Scopus - 96 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-7W6

DOI: 10.1161/01.str.29.6.1106

Abstract (EN): Background and Purpose-The first medical contact of an acute stroke victim is often a nonneurologist. Validation of stroke diagnosis made by these medical doctors is poorly known. The present study seeks to validate the stroke diagnoses made by general practitioners (GPs) and hospital emergency service physicians (ESPs). Methods-Validation through direct interview and examination by a neurologist was performed for diagnoses of stroke made by GPs in patients under their care and doctors working at the emergency departments of 3 hospitals. Results-Validation of the GP diagnosis was confirmed in 44 cases (85%); 3 patients (6%) had transient ischemic attacks and 5 (9%) suffered from noncerebrovascular disorders. Validation of the ESP diagnosis was confirmed in 169 patients (91%); 16 (9%) had a noncerebrovascular diagnosis. Overall, the most frequent conditions misdiagnosed as stroke were neurological in nature (cerebral tumor, 3; subdural hematoma, 1; seizure, 1; benign paroxysmal postural vertigo, 1; peripheral facial palsy, 2; psychiatric condition, 6; and other medical disorders, 7). Conclusions-In the majority of cases, nonneurologists (either GPs or ESPs) can make a correct diagnosis of acute stroke. Treatment of acute stroke with drugs that do not cause serious side effects can be started before evaluation by a neurologist and CT scan.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 4