Table 2.
Patient baseline characteristics and changes to care
| Patient characteristic | N = 162 |
|---|---|
| Age (years), range 44–100, mean ± SD | 69 ± 11 |
| Male gender: N (%) | 157 (97%) |
| Race, white | 117 (72%) |
| Primary diagnosis | |
| Stroke | 110 (68%) |
| Transient ischemic attack | 31 (19%) |
| Carotid stenosis | 30 (19%) |
| Other | 31 (19%) |
| Functional Independence Measure score, range 27–126 (n = 137) | 106.47 ± 20.614.0 |
| National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score, range 0–14, mean ± SD | 2.5 ± 3.4 |
| Total number of Stroke Clinic visits per patient | |
| 1 | 94 (58%) |
| 2 | 41 (25%) |
| ≥3 | 27 (17%) |
| Number of comorbid conditions | |
| 1 | 2% |
| 2 or 3 | 16% |
| 4 or 5 | 39% |
| ≥6 | 43% |
| Comorbid conditions | |
| Stroke | 108 (67%) |
| Transient ischemic attack | 37 (23%) |
| Hypertension | 130 (80%) |
| Hyperlipidemia | 105 (65%) |
| Ischemic heart disease | 66 (41%) |
| Depression | 57 (35%) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 47 (29%) |
| Prostatic hypertrophy | 36 (22%) |
| Peripheral vascular disease | 33 (20%) |
| Peptic ulcer disease | 31 (19%) |
| Congestive heart failure | 16 (10%) |
| Sleep apnea | 14 (9%) |
| New symptom or diagnosis | |
| Impaired cognition | 88 (54%) |
| Pain | 64 (40%) |
| Depression | 56 (35%) |
| Impaired sexual functioning | 45 (28%) |
| Fall risk | 60 (37%) |
| Falls | 29 (18%) |
| Dysphagia | 25 (15%) |
| Obstructive sleep apnea | 12 (7%) |
| Osteopenia/osteoporosis | 10 (6%) |
| Peripheral neuropathy | 9 (6%) |
| Clinical care changes | |
| Service referral made | 90% |
| Any rehabilitation | 64 (40%) |
| Any psychological therapy | 32 (20%) |
| BP clinic | 39 (21%) |
| Primary care clinic | 16 (10%) |
| Smoking cessation | 22 (14%) |
| Pulmonary/sleep study | 51 (31%) |
| Diagnostic testing ordered | 88% |
| Equipment issued | 48% |
| Medication information | |
| Medications added | 71 (44%) |
| Contraindications to a medication present | 48 (30%) |
| Medication dose changed | 43 (27%) |
| Medications discontinued | 25 (15%) |
| Able to name a stroke sign or symptom at last visit | 10% |
Abbreviations: BP, blood pressure; SD, standard deviation.