Clinical study on stroke in Non-COVID and COVID patients from Nanavati super specialty hospital reveals that 1.4% of total COVID patients suffered stroke. Hospital also launched a one-of-its-kind 24-hour ‘Stroke Helpline.’
Mumbai, 29th October 2020: On the occasion of World Stroke Day, Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital has unveiled one of the largest comparative study of neurological deficit, morbidity, mortality and overall clinical outcomes of ‘Stroke in Non-COVID and COVID patients.’ While the risk of stroke incidence is only about 1.5% in COVID patients, they report poorer rate of recovery, functional outcomes and mortality rate as compared to their Non-COVID counterparts, the study reveals.
42 stroke patients, treated during May 1 to August 31 were analysed as a part of the study, ‘Stroke in Pandemic.’Two groups of patients were divided equally, on the basis of their COVID status, age group and comorbid conditions for accurate clinical outcomes.
As per the study, 1.4% of total COVID patients suffered stroke as opposed to several international studies, suggesting the prevalence to be between 5% to 6%. However, post intervention functional outcomes—fluency in speech, limb movement and cognitive abilities were extremely poor in COVID patients. The Non-COVID patients who suffered stroke reported relatively better neurological and physical recovery with comparatively shorter recovery period and no complications.
While the experts found no radiological differences in the two groups, the ‘stroke in COVID,’ group reported higher levels of D-Dimer—a biological marker for blood coagulation. Dr Pradyumna Oak, Director and Head of Neurology, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital and principal author of the study, attributed the differences in the two groups to missing the golden hour treatment window and infection induced systemic involvement.
“The study reinforces the importance of early diagnosis and intensive care in managing stroke amidst the pandemic. The understanding of increased D-Dimer levels and probability of stroke correlation, can further strengthen prevention of stroke in COVID patients,”said, Dr. Oak
The study—coauthored by Dr. Priyanka Prabhu and Dr. Aditya Raheja will be replicated and extended to several other prominent stroke units of the city. “We have already tied up with prominent public and private hospitals of the city to replicate our study and confirm the findings in a larger patient pool. Consecutively, efforts to increase stroke awareness is a pre-requisite on the part of the medical community while spreading awareness about Covid-19 and its multifaceted effects,” Dr Oak added.
Mumbai’s First Stroke Helpline:
On the occasion of World Stroke Day, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital has launched a one-of-its-kind 24-hour ‘Stroke Helpline.’ The helpline, ’8405050548,’ will be attended by trained neurologists who can address all queries related to signs, symptoms, detection and treatment of stroke for people at large. The core aim of the helpline is to improve the ‘Golden Hour,’ treatment rate and reduce the morbidity and mortality of stroke.
Statistics:
1. Comparison of various variables between Covid & Non-covid cases
| Variables | Groups | Mean |
| Age (years) | Covid | 57.29 |
| Non-covid | 60.95 | |
| No. of Comorbidities ^ | Covid | 1.86 |
| Non-covid | 2.05 | |
| Platelet count | Covid | 239423.81 |
| Non-covid | 300123.81 | |
| D-dimer (ng/ml) ^ | Covid | 20301.08 |
| Non-covid | 1553.68 | |
| Days of admission till outcome ^ | Covid | 13.10 |
| Non-covid | 9.67 | |
| Modified Rankin Score # | Covid | 2.90 |
| Non-covid | 1.81 |
2. Days of admission till outcome
| Days of admission till outcome | Group | Total | ||
| Covid | Non-covid | |||
| < 5 ^ | No. | 3 | 8 | 11 |
| % | 14.3% | 38.1% | 26.2% | |
| 5 to 9 ^ | No. | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| % | 23.8% | 33.3% | 28.6% | |
| 10 to 14 # | No. | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| % | 38.1% | 4.8% | 21.4% | |
| 15 &> # | No. | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| % | 23.8% | 23.8% | 23.8% | |
| Total | No. | 21 | 21 | 42 |
| % | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% | |
3. Within golden period:
| Within golden period | Group | Total | ||
| Covid | Non-covid | |||
| Yes | No. | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| % | 0.0% | 28.6% | 14.3% | |
| No | No. | 21 | 15 | 36 |
| % | 100.0% | 71.4% | 85.7% | |
| Total | No. | 21 | 21 | 42 |
| % | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% | |
