The influence of age on stroke outcome. The Copenhagen Stroke Study

elucidate whether and how age influences stroke outcome. Methods This prospective and community-based study comprised 515 consecutive acute stroke patients. Computed tomographic scan was performed in 79 % of patients. Activities of daily living (ADL) and neurological status were assessed weekly during hospital stay using the Barthel Index (BI) and the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS), respectively. Information regarding social condition and comorbidity before stroke was also registered. A multiple regression model was used to analyze the independent influence of age on stroke outcome. Results Age was not related to the type of stroke lesion or infarct size. However, age independently influenced initial BI (-4 points per 10 years, P<.01), initial SSS (-2 points per 10 years, P=.O1), and discharge BI (- 3 points per 10 years, A dvanced age is often considered a limitation for / \ rehabilitation. However, as pointed out in the J. \- reviews of both Jongbloed1 and Rusin,2 there is no consensus on the influence of age on stroke outcome. Nine studies311 found a negative influence of age on functional status on or after discharge, whereas 2 stud-ies found no influence.1213 As to the influence of age on functional improvement from admission to the time of assessment, 4 studies showed no influence,7'13'15 2 stud-ies reported a negative influence,16'17 and 1 study showed a negative influence at discharge but no influ-ence 3 months after discharge.18 Furthermore, it is not possible to determine from former studies whether age per se influences stroke outcome or age influences stroke outcome through other factors associated with age.1 To clarify the specific influence of age, other factors such as comorbidity before stroke, marital status, type and size of the stroke lesion, and initial severity of the stroke should be considered. The purpose of this study was to investigate prospec-tively in a community-based population the specific influence of age on stroke outcome