National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, modified Rankin Scale, and modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction as autonomy predictive tools for stroke patients

Abstract

Whereas mortality from ischemic stroke is decreasing in all age groups, the prevalence of stroke continues to increase. Its increasing incidence in the younger population adds to the large number of survivors who will live many years with their disabilities related to stroke. Thus, the objectives of this study are to determine the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) as adequate prognostic functionality tools for stroke patients and to analyze the relation between stroke and rehabilitation. This study involved a systematic review. We obtained articles found on Google Scholar and MEDLINE and published from January 2008 to May 2018. The functionality of the patient after a stroke is associated with the likelihood of a hospital readmission, which should be taken into account during the diagnosis. Patients with poor functionality at discharge are also more likely to need long-term care and intensive rehabilitation plans. The severity of the initial stroke is a primary determinant of the clinical outcome. The NIHSS, mRS, and mTICI appear to be predictive tools of the functionality of the patient with ischemic stroke, especially in the acute phase. Rehabilitation demonstrates better results in reducing disability and greater participation of affected people.