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An accurate time of stroke onset was identified in 374(70%)of 535 registered patients(median age 77[range 29-98]years;332 men,203 women). Median time from onset to admission was 6 hours,with 25%of the patients arriving in less than 2.5 hours and 75%in less than 11.5 hours.Multiple regression confirmed that only admission through the bed allocation bureau (p<0.001),living alone(p<0.001),and nocturnal onset(p=0.003)prolonged delay time.Despite patients over 70 years of age taking a median of 7 hours from onset to admission compared with 4 hours for those under age 70 (p<0.001),the effect of age appeared to be dependent on these three factors.Age,sex,level of consciousness,rural domicile,and place of admission did not influence the delay time independently.Conclusions:We have identified some of the factors affecting the hospital admission delay time for stroke.With the possible advent of effective early treatments for stroke,these factors will need to be addressed. |
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