Healthcare Opportunity

It is a common, everyday gesture, but loaded with predictive value. German researchers have just completed a study which demonstrates that people in the days after suffering a severe stroke may cross your legs recover much better and are less likely to die than those who can not perform this movement.

Stroke is the third most common cause of death and a common reason for permanent disability in developed countries. According to the ‘Spanish Federation of Stroke “,” Every six minutes there is a stroke in Spain, being the leading cause of death in women and the second for men. Furthermore, it is estimated that one third of patients die from this cause and that 40% have a disability that prevents them fend for themselves. His appearance causes more disability and premature deaths that Alzheimer’s and traffic accidents together. ”

Therefore, to have models that help predict the recovery of the affected functionality is of utmost importance. “In our neurological intensive care unit we have observed that patients can quickly cross the legs after a severe stroke despite having markedly reduced consciousness, paralysis of the limb or need for assisted ventilation. To evaluate the prognostic significance of this sign did a study with patients, “anticipates ELMUNDO.es Berend Feddersen, University of Munich (Germany) and lead author of the research.

Matias-Guiu Jordi Guide, Chief of Neurology at the Hospital Clinico San Carlos de Madrid, admits that crossing your legs as a sign of the evolution of the patient is an old acquaintance. “We have known for a long time, taught me what my ‘bosses’ that proximal force is a very good indicator for how to retrieve the patient, the study data that does not surprise me. It is a sign that can help other professionals such as nurses, who are 24 hours a day with patients, manage forecasts simple elements. ”

Published in the latest of Neurology, the trial was conducted with 120 patients with severe stroke. Thirty-four of them all crossed their legs and were compared with the rest of the patients who did not perform this movement. The scientists observed also when was the first time succeeded in this position. “The average take days to cross the legs after intensive care admission was 10. Most (58.8%) crossed her right leg over left, 38% left on the right and a patient, in both senses. ”

As “we had hypothesized, we found that the crossing of legs after a severe stroke is a favorable prognostic indicator both at discharge and one year after admission.” In fact, to make the said motion was associated “with a lower incidence of neurological problems after leaving the hospital and with greater independence in daily life,” he insists in the trial. Also with lower risk of death. Thus mortality among those who did the crossing was 8% compared with 52% who did not perform this gesture.

“Compared with other commonly used predictive mean, which require a neurological evaluation by a physician trained and can only provide information about recovery until three months after stroke, we have studied is easy to see any specialist and provides information about the evolution of the patient to a year, “the researchers said.

Crossing your legs is a “sign of low cost, readily available in clinical practice. Therefore, it can be widely used by a team of intensive care unit. Perhaps it can even be used by family members or other caregivers. This sign, when performed within 15 days of severe stroke, suggests a less favorable outcome, including neurologic deficits, better independence in daily life, and lower mortality rates. Given this small study should be carried out further work to confirm or evaluate its prognostic value in other pathologies such as metabolic coma, “they add.