Definitions of the variables collected
| Variable | Definition | Unassessable data |
|---|---|---|
| MRC, Medical Research Council; BP, blood pressure; GCS, Glasgow coma score; TACS, total anterior circulation stroke; LACS, lacunar stroke. | ||
| *The Orpington model comprises the variables of the Edinburgh model plus the Abbreviated Mental Test score. | ||
| Our simple models18 | ||
| Age | (Date of stroke onset - date of birth) (y) | Not applicable |
| Living alone pre-stroke | No other person living permanently with the person before the stroke | Coded yes |
| Independent pre-stroke | Independent in activities of daily living (Oxford Handicap Score < 3) before stroke | Coded yes |
| Normal verbal GCS | Patient oriented in time, place and person | Coded no |
| Lift both arms | Able to lift both arms against gravity to 90 degrees (that is, MRC score 3 or more) | Coded no |
| Able to walk | Able to walk without the help of another person (can use walking aid if needed) | Coded no |
| Other models and variables | ||
| Urinary incontinence | Incontinent of urine since stroke or catheterised or penile sheath | Coded no |
| Guy’s model25 | ||
| Loss of consciousness at onset | Loss of consciousness at onset of stroke | Coded no |
| Drowsy | Drowsy or comatose | Not applicable |
| Complete limb paralysis | Power in worst limb MRC 0 or 1 | Coded no |
| TACS | Hemiplegia and hemianopia and either dysphasia or other higher cortical dysfunction | Not applicable |
| Motor LACS | Motor hemideficit with or without sensory loss but no hemianopia or higher cortical features | Not applicable |
| Edinburgh model26 | ||
| Arm function | 0=No weakness | Coded as 4 |
| 1=Able to lift to shoulder height and resist active movement but weak | ||
| 2=Able to lift to shoulder height but cannot resist active movement | ||
| 3=Able to move arm but cannot lift it to shoulder height | ||
| 4=No flicker of contraction in affected arm | ||
| Arm proprioception | 0=Finds thumb of affected arm with other hand with eyes closed accurately first time | Coded as 3 |
| 1=Finds thumb within 5 seconds having missed it initially | ||
| 2=Finds affected arm and then follows this up to affected thumb | ||
| 3=Unable to find thumb | ||
| Postural capability | 0=Able to walk without human assistance for about 10 feet | Coded as 3 |
| 1=Able to maintain standing position without support but cannot walk without human assistance | ||
| 2=Able to sit with legs over side of bed without support but cannot stand | ||
| 3=Unable to sit without help | ||
| Orpington model27* | ||
| Abbreviated Mental Test Score | 0=score 10 | Coded as 3 |
| 1=score 8 to 9 | ||
| 2=score 5 to 7 | ||
| 3=score 0 to 4 | ||