Recurrent stroke: a curious impact on stroke severity and neurological disability

Abstract

Introduction Recurrent stroke is significantly associated with increased mortality and morbidity, as it results in more severe neurological deficits than the initial stroke. However, the association of recurrence with stroke severity and neurological disability has not been studied. Purpose The aim of the study was to elucidate the impact of stroke recurrence on its severity and on the neurological disability of patients. Material and methods A retrospective observational study was conducted on 30 patients with primary stroke and 30 patients with recurrent stroke. We used the NIHHS and mRS scales to assess stroke severity and neurological disability. Student's t test for two independent samples was performed for data analysis. Results The average severity of both primary and recurrent stroke did not show differences between groups (10.1 vs 11.7; p=0.17, p>0.05), being predominantly of moderate severity. There was a statistically significant higher average degree of disability (3.6 vs 2.9; p=0.003, p<0.01) in patients with recurrent stroke, assigning a moderate-severe degree of neurological disability to these patients. Conclusions The severity of a recurrent stroke does not differ from that of a primary stroke, but a recurrent stroke induces a higher level of neurological disability than the primary one. Recognizing this would contribute to the intensification of secondary stroke prevention measures.