Authors’ Reply

JN Panicker¹, M Thomas¹, K Pavithran², MD Nair³, PS Sarma³,  
¹ Department of Medicine, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695011, India
² Department of Hematology, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695011, India
³ Neurology, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala–695011, India

Correspondence Address:
J N Panicker
Department of Medicine, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695011
India

Full Text

Sir,

We appreciate the observations made regarding our article Morbidity predictors in ischemic stroke. Neurology India 2003;51:49-51. The analysis done at 6 months was regarding predictors of morbidity. Hence patients who expired were not included. This analysis is unique, as previous studies had studied only the relationship between C reactive protein (CRP) positivity and mortality.

During follow up, disability was assessed telephonically independent of degree of disability at discharge. Activities of daily living (ADL) reported by telephone interviews have been shown to correlate highly with ADL measured from direct examination.[1] Barthel index, an important ADL scale, was used to assess outcome, as ADL independence is the overall major goal for stroke survivors. Recurrence of stroke and age were not found to be significant predictors. Difference in observation may be due to smaller sample size in the present study. CRP was studied within 24-48 hours of admission.

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