Stroke Patients in Europe

 
Signs for strokes are often not realised
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Preliminary results from the world's most comprehensive global stroke survey are announced by the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE) and AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN). The initial survey results point to a widespread lack of awareness of stroke.

Eighty one per cent of patients and carers surveyed were not aware of stroke's symptoms before they were affected by the disease. After a stroke, patients' awareness levels increased but only to 66 %. Just 30 % of stroke patients realised they were experiencing a stroke once their symptoms started.

Awareness of the risk factors for stroke was also very low among patients. Despite 54 % of patients surveyed suffering from high blood pressure, only a third were aware that hypertension was a risk factor for stroke. Only 13 % of patients thought they could be at risk before they suffered a stroke.

Arne Hagen, President of SAFE said, "Recognising the signs and symptoms of stroke is essential for getting patients to hospital early - stroke is a disease where time to treatment affects the level of disability. If patients are recognised and diagnosed earlier, it will help reduce stroke-related disability seen in some patients. More awareness raising programmes are needed to help patients affected by this neglected disease."

These preliminary survey results are from a total of 362 individuals who completed a written questionnaire. Of these, approximately 59 per cent were stroke patients and 41 per cent carers.

One surprising statistic challenges the concept that stroke is an old persons' disease; 26 % of patients who completed the survey were under 60 years of age when they suffered their first stroke. The full survey, the results of which are expected in early 2007, will be extensive; a total of 2,400 patients and 2,400 caregivers will be polled following recruitment through medical professionals.

Participating countries include France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Sweden, Australia, China, Canada and the USA. The preliminary results announced today are from France, Germany, UK, Sweden, Spain and Italy. A steering committee, consisting of patient organisations such as SAFE and leading stroke experts is guiding the development of the survey.

REHACARE.de; Source: ots/PRNewswire

( Source: REHACARE.de )

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