ABSTRACT
Background: Increasing stroke burden in India demands a long-term stroke surveillance framework. Earlier studies in India were urban-based, short term and provided limited data on stroke incidence and its outcomes. This gap is addressed by the establishment of five population-based stroke registries (PBSRs) of the National Stroke Registry Programme, India. This paper describes stroke incidence, mortality and age, sex, and subtypes distribution in the five PBSRs with urban and rural populations. Methods: First-ever incident stroke patients in age group ≥18 years, resident for at least one year in the defined geographic area, identified from health facilities were registered. Death records with stroke as the cause of death from the Civil Registration System (CRS) were included. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) was excluded. Three PBSRs (Cuttack, Tirunelveli, Cachar) included urban and rural populations. PBSRs in Kota and Varanasi were urban areas. The crude and age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) by age, sex, and residence (urban and rural), rate ratios of ASR, case fatality proportions and rates at day 28 after onset of stroke were calculated for years 2018-2019. Findings: A total of 13,820 registered first-ever stroke cases that included 985 death certificate-only cases (DCOs) were analysed. The pooled crude incidence rate was 138.1 per 100,000 population with an age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of 103.4 (both sexes), 125.7 (males) and 80.8 (females). The risk of stroke among rural residents was one in seven (Cuttack), one in nine (Tirunelveli), and one in 15 (Cachar). Ischemic stroke was the most common type in all PBSRs. Age-standardized case fatality rates (ASCFR) per 100,000 population for pooled PBSRs was 30.0 (males) and 18.8 (females), and the rate ratio (M/F) ranged from 1.2 (Cuttack) to 2.0 (Cachar). Interpretation: Population-based registries have provided a comprehensive stroke surveillance platform to measure stroke burden and outcomes by age, sex, residence and subtype across India. The rural-urban pattern of stroke incidence and mortality shall guide health policy and programme planning to strengthen stroke prevention and treatment measures in India. Funding: The National Stroke Registry Programme is funded through the intramural funding of the Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India.
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is defined as a hyperintense spinal cord lesion extending over three or more vertebral levels on sagittal T2-weighted spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Among the different causes of LETM, neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is the most common and associated with bad prognosis. AIMS: We aimed to study the clinicoradiological profile, etiology, and prognosis of LETM. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a hospital-based cross-sectional prospective study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 37 patients who presented with paraplegia/paresis or quadriplegia/paresis with MRI spine showing LETM. They were analyzed for their clinical features, routine blood parameters, MRI findings, serum aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibodies. All patients were followed up for 1 year for prognosis. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 17, SPSS Inc.; Chicago, IL, USA). The different groups were compared with each other using Chi-square test. RESULTS: The mean age in our series was 35.97 ± 13.2 years. There was a slight female predominance of LETM in our series with a female: male ratio of 1.05:1. Thoracic spinal cord segments were the most commonly (56.76%) affected. The tendency to involve three to five segments is more common (40.54%). Serum AQP4 antibody (Ab) test was done in 26 patients with LETM. Among them, AQP4 Ab was found positive in nine patients (34.62%). A total of 22 patients (59.46%) were clinically diagnosed as NMO, 4 patients as postinfectious myelitis, 1 each in tuberculous myelitis and subacute combined degeneration, and 9 were idiopathic LETM. Prognosis of LETM in the form of Expanded Disability Status Scale at 1 year was poor in patients with NMO particularly those with positive AQP4 Ab. CONCLUSION: NMO is the most common cause of LETM. Because of poor prognosis of LETM in patients with NMO, particularly those with positive AQP4 Ab, it is very essential for early and accurate diagnosis of etiology of LETM, so that appropriate treatment can be provided to the patient.
