Impact of Stroke Unit Care on Acute Stroke Outcomes

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07750860

Assiut University140 enrolled

Overview

This observational study is designed to evaluate and compare the recovery outcomes of patients who have experienced their first acute stroke. Specifically, it looks at how receiving care in a specialized Stroke Unit compares to receiving care in a conventional hospital neurology ward. Researchers will observe 140 adult patients admitted to Assiut University Hospital within 48 hours of their stroke symptoms starting. Patients will be observed in two distinct groups of 70 based on their admission setting: * Stroke Unit Care: Patients in this group receive care from a specialized, multi-professional team (including vascular neurologists, stroke nurses, neuro-physiotherapists, and clinical pharmacists). They undergo continuous heart and vital sign monitoring for the first 24 to 48 hours, participate in early physical activity protocols, and follow strict guidelines for swallowing checks, temperature control, and blood sugar management. * Conventional Ward Care: Patients in this group receive standard medical care and general nursing management. Their vital signs are checked during routine shifts, and physical therapy is provided only when specifically requested on a case-by-case basis. The study will track the patients' progress by measuring their independence in daily activities, physical disability levels, and cognitive (thinking) skills. Assessments will happen when they are discharged from the hospital, and then again at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after they go home to evaluate their overall recovery, complications, and mortality rates.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

140

Conditions

Acute Stroke Ischemic Stroke Hemorrhagic Stroke

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged ≥ 18 years at the time of presentation. * Confirmed clinical diagnosis of acute first ever stroke (either ischemic or hemorrhagic) supported by objective neuroimaging findings via history case taking and emergency CT or MRI scans. * Hospital admission initiated within 48 hours of initial symptom onset. * Informed consent provided, signed, and dated by the patient or a legally authorized proxy representative. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or presenting stroke mimics (e.g., complex migraines, severe hypoglycemia, conversion disorders, status epilepticus). * Pre-existing severe functional disability prior to the index stroke event, established as a baseline pre-stroke Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score \> 2. * Co-morbid advanced or terminal medical or neurological or psychiatric conditions with a documented clinical life expectancy of less than 6 months. * Incomplete medical charts, structural data gaps, or formal withdrawal on baseline assessment or on hospital stay assessment before discharge.