Evaluation of Factors Influencing Sensory Disability in Cerebral Stroke Patients

Introduction: Clinical findings affecting disability in stroke patients are important as presence of these factors determines the prognosis and future course of these patients. Methods: Consecutive stroke patients admitted at Ghaem hospital, Mashhad were enrolled in this prospective study in 2008. Hemihyposthesia, hemianesthesia, hemineglect and homonymous hemianopsia was evaluated in these patients. Disability score was based on the Modified Ranking Disability Score (MRDS), 72 hours post stroke. Mean of MRDS was analyzed by T test and Fisher tests and p<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: A total of 329 stroke patients were investigated. Hemihyposthesia, hemianesthesia, hemineglect and homonymous hemianopsia was found in 37.4%, 13.8%, 7.9% and 7.3% of the patients, respectively. MRDS was significantly higher in patients with hemianesthesia as compared to other stroke patients, (p<0.001). MRDS of patients with hemihypoestheisa, hemineglect and homonyous hemianopsia was not significantly different than patients without these abnormalities (p=0.44, p=023 and p=0.83). Patients with triad of hemianesthesia, hemineglect and homonymous hemianopsia had significantly higher MRDS than others (p<0.001). Conclusion: Hemianesthesia is a clinical factor affecting sensory disability in cerebral stroke patients. Presence of the above triad could increase MRDS in these patients