FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH EARLY HOSPITAL ARRIVAL IN PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC STROKE

Abstract

Objective: To identify the factors associated with early hospital arrival of patients with ischemic stroke in a public hospital of Brazil. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 220 patients affected by ischemic stroke, who were admitted to the neurology unit of a hospital in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Patients were divided into an early group (time from the symptom onset to hospital admission ? 4.5 h) and a late group (time from the symptom onset to hospital admission > 4.5 h). Pearson’s Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to associate hospital admission time and sociodemographic, clinical and neurological data. Results: 81 patients (36.8%) underwent venous thrombolysis, although 157 patients were admitted within the thrombolytic window. Factors associated with early hospitalization were being a resident in the city of Salvador (p< 0.001), use of private car/taxi (p= 0.029), recognition of stroke symptoms (p= 0.007), decision time within 30 min to seek a health service (p< 0.001), initial search for the neurological referral hospital (p= 0.005). There were no statistically significant factors for hospital delay factors. Patients who reached ? 4.5 h were able to undergo venous thrombolysis (p< 0.001). Conclusions: Most patients arrived at the referral hospital within the thrombolytic window; however, less than half of the sample had access to therapy. These results may contribute to health services planning, as well as patient guidance.