Can a clinical classification of stroke predict complications and treatments during hospitalization?

The predictive value of the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project ischemic stroke classification for acute stroke complications, therapeutic interventions and disability at discharge was investigated in 297 consecutive first-ever acute stroke patients. More than one medical complication (odds ratio, OR = 2.2), fever (OR = 2.5) and dependency (Rankin grade >2) at discharge (OR = 2.3) were more frequent in intracerebral hemorrhage patients. Fever and urinary tract infections were the most common complications among ischemic stroke patients. Both were more frequent in total anterior circulation infarct (TACI) patients (OR = 11.5 and OR = 3.7). Neurological deterioration was observed in about 10% of TACI and posterior circulation infarct (POCI) patients. Dependency at discharge was more frequent in TACI patients (OR = 10.3). Logistic regression analysis identified ischemic stroke subgroups (OR = 8.4) and medical complications (OR = 3.8) as predictors of poor outcome (Rankin score greater than or equal to 4). A clinical classification is useful to predict possible medical and neurological complications in the acute phase, death and dependency at discharge.