Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: Evidence concerning secondary prevention of cerebrovascular disease is not optimally used in clinical practice. A necessary first step is to identify those eligible for treatment. In primary care, this equates to setting up a register of prevalent stroke. AIM: To compare three different methods for identifying prevalent cases of cerebrovascular disease in the community: general practice-based computer systems; population surveys; and hospital-based routine information systems. DESIGN OF STUDY: Comparison of results of each method applied to a defined population and then assessed against reference criteria for cerebrovascular disease. SETTING: A total of 5801 people aged 65 years or over, resident in seven practices situated within the South Birmingham Primary Care Trust area. METHOD: The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of each method of identification were calculated against reference criteria applied by two investigators independently of each other. RESULTS: The prevalence of reference criteria-validated cerebrovascular disease in patients aged 65 years or over was 8.2%. Overall, general practice-based computer systems had a sensitivity of 81.0%, a specificity of 97.2% and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 71.8%, but there was a wide range of sensitivity (33% to 90%) and PPV (42% to 92%) between practices. Patient survey and hospital information systems were less sensitive (75.7% and 28.4%, respectively) but had higher PPVs (77.5% and 89.2%, respectively). Thirty-nine per cent of patients with a history of cerebrovascular disease had not been admitted to hospital. CONCLUSION: General practice-based computer systems can produce reasonably accurate prevalent stroke registers. In areas where these are poorly developed, patient survey is an alternative.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Gen Pract

Publication Date

07/2003

Volume

53

Pages

520 - 524

Keywords

Aged, Cerebrovascular Disorders, Community Health Planning, Family Practice, Female, Hospitals, Humans, Ischemic Attack, Transient, Male, Medical Records Systems, Computerized, Predictive Value of Tests, Registries, Sensitivity and Specificity