Abstract:
Background: A stroke happens when the blood flow to the brain is cut off or disrupted, which
causes certain brain cells to die from a lack of oxygen. The most common type of stroke is
ischemic stroke, also known as cerebral infarction. According to the American Heart
Association, ischemic stroke accounts for 87 % of all strokes.
Objective: The primary purpose of this study is to identify the determinants of consciousness
level among adult stroke patients at Jimma university medical center.
Methods: The study was carried out using a retrospective cohort study design and the secondary
data was collected using the patient’s chart under the follow-up. Samples of 310 stroke patients,
measured repeatedly at least three times on each patient who are 18 years old or older those
treated from January 2020 to December 2021. Data were analyzed by using R software version
4.0.5. The response variable Glasgow coma scale, which was measured longitudinally, was fitted
using a linear mixed effect model.
Results: Among 310 stroke patients, Ischemic stroke 50.6% (n=157) whereas hemorrhagic
stroke 49.4% (n=153). The average age at first visit was 55.72 ± 14.89SD, ranging from 19 to 91
years. Baseline age, Gender, stroke complication, histories of hypertension, history of diabetes,
time and interaction time with baseline age were significance.
Conclusion: According to this study, women affected by stroke more than men because more
women experience strokes throughout the course of their lives. The result shows that being
hypertensive, older, having diabetic mellitus and having stroke complication, Age were
significantly decrease the consciousness level of the stroke patients, implies as Age of a patients
increase the level of consciousness decrease. Moreover, on average GCS measure increase in a
linear pattern over time, implies as time increase the level of consciousness were increase.
However being male and the time interactions with baseline age were significantly increases the
consciousness level of the stroke.
