Objective:

To prospectively compare recovery outcomes, presentation with NIH stroke scale and modified ranking scale (MRS) in the study population with follow up at discharge.

Background:

Earlier studies suggested lacunar stroke has a better prognosis compared to other strokes, but recent studies show prognosis of lacunar stroke is simiar or worse when compared to large strokes.

Design/Methods:

We prospectively collected demographic information, admission NIH stroke scale, and modified ranking scale with serial measurements during hospitalized course in single tertiary care hospital in six-month period(n=74). We also collected information on discharge disposition between lacunar and non-lacunar stroke groups. Two groups adjusted for sex and race. Independent t-test is used for comparing continuous variables and chi-square test for comparing categorical variables.

Results:

There were 30 lacunar stroke patients and 44 non-lacunar stroke patients with mean age of 60 years for lacunar stroke patients and 70 for non-lacunar stroke patients. Mean admission NIH stroke scale was 11 in the non-lacunar group with MRS of 0.4 compared to 6 (p= 0.009) and 1(p=0.006), respectively in the lacunar group. Discharge NIH and MRS values were 7 and 2.3 respectively for the non-lacunar group compared to 4(p=0.03) and 2.2(p=0.88) for the lacunar group. ΔNIH (admit-discharge) is 4 and 2 for non-lacunar and lacunar group, respectively. ΔMRS (admit-discharge) is –1.9 and –1.3 for non-lacunar and lacunar group, respectively. Discharge to home was 46.7% & 37% (p=0.03) in non-lacunar group and lacunar group, respectively. Discharge to Skilled nursing facility was 13.3% and 18.5%(p=0.03) in non-lacunar group and lacunar group, respectively.  

Conclusions:

Despite the relatively small volume of infarct associated with lacunar stroke compared to typically large infarcts seen with non-lacunar stroke, we found that the outcome was similar if not worse in terms of recovery for lacunar type stroke based upon prospective information collected in our six-month database extending from May 2021 to November