Morbidity Prevalence Estimate at 6 Months Following a Stroke: Protocol for a Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the prevalence of morbidity secondary to stroke is important for health care professionals, health care commissioners, third sector organizations, and stroke survivors to understand the likely progress of poststroke sequelae and to aid in commissioning decisions, planning care, and adjusting to life after stroke. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of the Morbidity PRevalence Estimate In StrokE (MORe PREcISE) study is to determine the prevalence of morbidity secondary to a stroke, predictors of morbidity, and trends in quality of life and functional status using patient-reported outcomes, cognitive and functional assessments. METHODS: A total of 500 participants will be recruited across Wales and England within 14 days following an admission to a stroke unit for either an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke as part of a multicenter cohort study. Participants are assessed at baseline ≤14 days poststroke and subsequently at 90 (± 14) days and 180 (± 14) days poststroke. At each time point, data will be collected relating to the following domains: participant demographics, routine clinical, patient reported, cognitive status, emotional well-being, and functional ability. RESULTS: Recruitment commenced in October 2018 with 20 sites opened as of September 2019 and was closed on October 31, 2019. CONCLUSIONS: The primary outcome is the prevalence of morbidity at 6 months secondary to a stroke. Further analysis will consider temporal changes in the health-related domains to describe trends among baseline, 3-, and 6-month time points. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03605381; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03605381 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/15851