Question

Question #: 15
BACKGROUND: Seizure is a common complication after stroke (termed "post-stroke seizure," PSS). Although many studies have assessed outcomes and risk factors of PSS, no reliable predictors are currently available to determine PSS recurrence. We compared baseline clinical characteristics and post- stroke treatment regimens between recurrent and non-recurrent PSS patients to identify factors predictive of recurrence.
METHODS: Consecutive PSS patients admitted to our stroke center between January 2011 and July 2013 were monitored until February 2014 (median 357 days; IQR, 160-552) and retrospectively evaluated for baseline clinical characteristics and PSS recurrence. Cumulative recurrence rates at 90, 180, and 360 days post-stroke were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Independent predictors of recurrent PSS were identified by Cox proportional-hazards analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 104 patients (71 men; mean age, 72.1 ±11.2 years) were analyzed. PSS recurred in 31 patients (30%) during the follow-up. Factors significantly associated with PSS recurrence by log-rank analysis included previous PSS, valproic acid (VPA) monotherapy, polytherapy with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), frontal cortical lesion, and higher modified Rankin Scale score at discharge (all p <0.05). Independent predictors of recurrent PSS were age <74 years (HR 2.38, 95% CI 1.02-5.90), VPA monotherapy (HR 3.86, 95% CI 1.30-12.62), and convulsions on admission (HR 3.87, 95% CI 1.35-12.76). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of PSS patients experienced seizure recurrence within one year. The predictors of recurrent PSS were younger age, presence of convulsions and VPA monotherapy. Our findings should be interpreted cautiously in countries where monotherapy with second-generation AEDs has been approved because this study was conducted while second-generation AEDs had not been officially approved for monotherapy in Japan.
Which of the following choices best represents the study design? (2 points)
A. Prospective Cohort Study
B. Retrospective Cohort Study
C. Case-Control Study
D. Case Report / Case Series
E. Cross-Sectional Study
F. Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study

Answer 1

B. Retrospective Observational Cohort Study

In retrospective cohort study the disease or the outcome is already known by the participants. Then this study dig the past to try to find out the reason of the disease prevelance or outcome and when the exposure occured.

In this case, the line "Seizure is a common complication after stroke" and "Consecutive PSS patients admitted to our stroke center were monitored and retrospectively evaluated for baseline clinical characteristics and PSS recurrence" shows that the condition or the outcome (i.e PSS recurrence) is already known by the researchers.

In this study, the lines "We compared baseline clinical characteristics and post- stroke treatment regimens between recurrent and non-recurrent PSS patients to identify factors predictive of recurrence" and the lines "Approximately one-third of PSS patients experienced seizure recurrence within one year" indicates that the researchers were having a look into the past. Again the lines "The predictors of recurrent PSS were younger age, presence of convulsions and VPA monotherapy" shows that found out when the exposure occured.