Observational studyBMJ open2025
Patient-reported symptoms and admission pathways in stroke mimics versus confirmed stroke or transient ischaemic attack: a cross-sectional observational study.
Observational study in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Migraine and patent foramen ovale: correlation, coexistence, dependence. A narrative review.Headache · 2026Review
- Predictors and outcomes of stroke mimics in patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis: a single-center retrospective cohort study.Frontiers in neurology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesTo determine patient-reported symptoms and clinical factors associated with mimics and differences in health-seeking behaviour versus stroke.
designThis is a post-hoc analysis of a cross-sectional survey of interviews on patient-reported factors in patients admitted with suspected stroke. Patients were categorised as genuine stroke or mimic. The surveys were conducted from February 2018 to January 2019.
settingTwo non-comprehensive stroke centres in Denmark.
participantsPatients≥18 years (no upper age limit) admitted with symptoms of stroke to one of the non-comprehensive stroke centres or transferred from a comprehensive- or primary stroke centre were eligible for inclusion. 592 patients were included. OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptoms or clinical factors associated with stroke mimics. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with mimics. Secondarily, the number of strokes versus mimics presenting at a healthcare facility within 3 hours contacted the emergency medical service (EMS) and arrived by ambulance.
resultsOf 592 suspected patients with stroke, 113 (19.1%) were mimics; most frequently peripheral vertigo (24.7%) and migraine (11.5%). Factors associated with a higher likelihood of mimics were female sex (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.79), high Scandinavian Stroke Scale scores (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.09, per point increase), and vertigo (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.95). Factors associated with a lower likelihood of mimics were increasing age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.98 per year increase), reported limb weakness (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.89) and difficulty steering (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.93).There was no difference between groups in the proportion of patients for whom time from symptom onset to healthcare services contact exceeded 3 hours (52.2% vs 53.7%,
conclusionPatient-reported vertigo and migraine are common stroke mimics. Increasing age and unilateral limb symptoms increase the likelihood of a stroke. Although symptoms are similar, prehospital pathways differ between mimics and genuine patients with stroke.
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