A comparative time matched hospital based study of first ever stroke patients admitted to stroke unit during pre-COVID 19 vs COVID 19 pandemic era

Aim & Objectives: To study effects of COVID 19 pandemic era on demographics, type and severity of strokes, morbidity & mortality among patients having first ever stroke who were admitted to stroke unit during similar months(April & May) in year 2019 & 2020. To study the effects of COVID 19 pandemic era on diagnosis of minor strokes and utilization of imaging modalities (MRI/NCCT). Settings and Design: Retrospective Study. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at GMC Kota, a tertiary care hospital in Rajasthan. All patients having their first ever stroke and admitted to our stroke unit during the pre-COVID 19 period (April 2019-May 2019) and the COVID 19 period (April 2020-May 2020) were considered. The characteristics of stroke, the severity, the number of admissions per day, and demographic characteristics as well as the short-term outcomes were studied. Statistical analysis used: Biostatistician was consulted for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk test, means with standard deviation, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, Linear and logistic regression were used as per data characteristics and requirement. P-value of