We collected data from 2150 consecutive ischemic stroke patients who were admitted to 3 study hospitals between January 2012 and June 2014. END was defined as an increase (≥4) in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score within the first 72 hours of stroke onset. We calculated the 30-day iScore for each patient to determine the relationship between the iScore and occurrence of END.
Among 2150 patients, END was observed in 146 patients (6.8%). There was a positive correlation between the iScore and occurrence of END. After adjusting for potential confounders, the iScore was independently associated with END (odds ratio: 1.217 per 20-point increase in iScore, 95% confidence interval: 1.121-1.321, P < .001). There was good correlation between observed and expected outcomes predicted by the iScore (Pearson correlation coefficient: r = .950, P < .001).
The iScore can predict the risk of END development within the acute stroke stage.