INTRODUCTION: The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), originally designed in the United States of America, contains items on dysphasia and dysarthria that are deemed culturally unsuitable for the Singapore context. We compared the error rates of dysphasia objects, dysphasia phrases and dysarthria words between the original and alternative items in a cohort of Singaporean subjects without dysphasia or dysarthria. METHODS: In this prospective study, 140 English-speaking Singaporean subjects without impairments of dysphasia or dysarthria had an assessment of NIHSS items 9 and 10 using the original and alternative items. Paired analyses were conducted for comparison of error rates. RESULTS: The error rates were high for four original dysphasia objects (Hammock: 62.9%, Cactus: 38.6%, Feather: 23.6%, Glove: 20.7%) and significantly lower for alternative items (Snail: 5%, Horse: 1.4%, Hanger: 1.4%, Car: 0%) (P < 0.001). For dysphasia phrases and dysarthria words, the error rates were low and there were no differences in error rates between the original and alternative items. CONCLUSION There are cultural issues with several dysphasia objects in the original NIHSS as evidenced by the high error rates, which were lowered with more culturally suitable alternatives. This study formed a basis to derive a more suitable version of the NIHSS for English-speaking subjects in Singapore.
Humans ; United States ; Animals ; Horses ; Stroke/diagnosis* ; Singapore ; Dysarthria/diagnosis* ; Prospective Studies ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Aphasia/diagnosis* ; Severity of Illness Index

Adult ; COVID-19/diagnosis* ; Humans ; Intracranial Thrombosis/virology* ; Male ; Severity of Illness Index ; Venous Thrombosis/virology*

Chorea/etiology* ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis* ; Phototherapy

Stroke patients are evaluated with a non-contrasted brain computed tomography (CT) scan for decision-making for intravenous thrombolysis. We report a case of a patient who presented with receptive aphasia, and was administered IV alteplase after the non-contrasted brain CT showed no contraindication. However, a dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) was detected on the subsequent CT angiography performed in the consideration for endovascular therapy. The patient developed fatal symptomatic intra-cerebral hemorrhage, despite subsequent cessation and reversal of thrombolysis. This case highlights how early CT angiography can be useful in hyper-acute stroke patients beyond the detection of large vessel occlusions, with its ability in revealing stroke mimics such as dural arteriovenous fistula and other contraindications to thrombolysis, which may be missed on the noncontrasted brain CT.

INTRODUCTIONEarly initiation of stroke thrombolysis is associated with improved outcomes. Procurement of consent is a key factor in prolonging the door-to-needle duration. This study aimed to determine the attitudes and preferences of stroke patients and their next of kin (NOK) towards decision-making for stroke thrombolysis in Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe surveyed acute ischaemic stroke patients (n = 171) who presented beyond the 4.5-hour therapeutic window and their NOK (n = 140) using a questionnaire with scenarios on obtaining consent for intravenous thrombolysis.

RESULTSIn the patient survey, 83% were agreeable for their NOK to decide on their behalf if mentally incapacitated and 74% were agreeable for the doctor to decide if the NOK was absent. In the NOK survey, the majority (81%) wanted to be consulted before mentally capacitated patients made their decision; 72% and 74%, meanwhile, were willing to decide on behalf of a mentally capacitated and mentally incapacitated patient, respectively. In the scenario where a doctor recommended a mentally incapacitated stroke patient to undergo thrombolysis but the family declined, there was a near equal split in preference to follow the family's or doctor's decision in both the patient and NOK surveys.

CONCLUSIONThe survey found that in the decision-making process for stroke thrombolysis, there was no clear consensus on the preference for the decision maker of the mentally incapacitated patient. In Singapore, there is a strong influence of the NOK in decision-making for thrombolysis.

Attitude to Health ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; psychology ; therapy ; Decision Making ; Dissent and Disputes ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Mental Competency ; Proxy ; Singapore ; Stroke ; etiology ; psychology ; therapy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Time-to-Treatment

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants ; therapeutic use ; Aspirin ; therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation ; complications ; drug therapy ; Brain Ischemia ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Dabigatran ; therapeutic use ; Dipyridamole ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Guideline Adherence ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Primary Prevention ; statistics & numerical data ; Pyrazoles ; therapeutic use ; Pyridones ; therapeutic use ; Rivaroxaban ; therapeutic use ; Stroke ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Ticlopidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Warfarin ; therapeutic use

INTRODUCTIONThere is limited utilisation of acute stroke reperfusion treatments which have narrow therapeutic windows, with delayed hospital presentation being a major limiting factor in Singapore. Most patients who wake up with symptoms are ineligible for reperfusion treatments as duration from onset time is not known. We studied the profile of wake-up strokes, onset-to-door duration and their associated factors among ischaemic stroke patients in the context of potential new treatments.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is an observational study of consecutive ischaemic stroke patients presenting within 2 weeks of symptom onset to the Singapore General Hospital in 2012.

RESULTSOf the 642 ischaemic stroke patients studied, 33% of the cases were wake-up strokes [median age 64 years, 88%<80 years; median NIHSS score 4, 98%<20]. The median onset-to-door duration was 14.3 hours (Interquartile range, 4.8 to 38.2 hours), 20% of them arrived <3.5 hours (considering eligibility for intravenous alteplase in the proven 4.5 hours window accounting for a one hour door-to-needle duration), 14%: ≥3.5 to <8 hours, 11%: ≥8 to <12 hours, and 56%: ≥12 hours. Most patients with known stroke risk factors including atrial fibrillation (66%), hypertension (78%) and prior stroke (81%) presented beyond 3.5 hours.

CONCLUSIONThe one- third proportion of wake-up stroke in this cohort and low prevalence of relative contraindications suggest this is a promising group for emerging thrombolysis indications. With the majority of patients presenting after 8 hours, widening of the therapeutic window with new potential reperfusion treatments would not appreciably increase treatment utilisation. This study reaffirms the urgent need for public education to improve stroke awareness in Singapore.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Reperfusion ; Singapore ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; surgery ; therapy ; Time-to-Treatment ; statistics & numerical data

INTRODUCTIONKnowledge of stroke symptoms is associated with seeking medical attention early, and knowledge of risk factors is an essential factor in stroke prevention. In this study, we evaluated the level of stroke literacy in Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSA cross-sectional study of Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 21 years and above was conducted in a public housing estate. Participants were randomly sampled using multi-stage stratified sampling. Assessment of awareness of stroke symptoms and risk factors was performed using open-ended questions. In total, 687 respondents were recruited, with a response rate of 69.7%.

RESULTSOverall, 52.4% of respondents identified the brain as the source of pathology, and 47.6% could cite at least 1 of the 3 FAST symptoms (facial droop, arm weakness and speech difficulty), while 40% could name 2 or more of 7 established risk factors for stroke (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, older age, previous heart attacks and stroke). Respondents at higher risk of stroke (older individuals and those with stroke risk factors) did not have greater awareness of stroke symptoms and risk factors. The majority of respondents reported they would seek immediate medical care if they experienced stroke symptoms. Only 59.4% knew the emergency ambulance service telephone number.

CONCLUSIONIn a sample of Singaporean adults residing in a public housing estate, we found evidence of poor stroke literacy, highlighting the need for comprehensive population-based education efforts. There is a role for opportunistic education among those at higher risk of stroke.

Adult ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Literacy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Public Housing ; Risk Factors ; Singapore ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Stroke ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult