The impact of FAST (Face-Arm-Speech-Time) public awareness campaigns on stroke signs recognition was assessed in Quebec, Canada. After multiple campaigns, FAST stroke signs identification improved by 26% overall. However, 1 in 3 people could still not identify FAST stroke signs and 1 in 5 people still would not activate emergency medical services.
Rapid community recognition of stroke signs is crucial to the timely activation of pre-hospital care. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada launched the bilingual English/French FAST/VITE campaign in 2014 (see Table). Using data from 4 repeated cross-sectional surveys within 2.5 years, the impact of public awareness campaigns was investigated. Participants (1: n=450; 2: n=450; 3: n=451; 4: n=1,100), were asked to name stroke signs. A public awareness campaign preceded the first 3 surveys, and 2 more campaigns preceded the fourth survey [1].
Table: FAST/VITE – Learn the signs of stroke
The identification of FAST stroke signs improved by 25% overall (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.01–1.54; P=0.039). However, the proportion of respondents unable to identify any FAST stroke signs remained high after each survey (1: 37.7%; 2: 26.9%; 3: 30.4%; 4: 30.5%). Factors associated with worse FAST stroke sign identification were male sex, retirement, lower income, and lower education. Coincidental, people in these groups are also at higher risk of incident stroke.
- Brissette V, et al. Improved Identification of FAST Stroke Signs in the Population After Multiple Public Awareness Campaigns in Quebec, Canada. S30.003, AAN 2021 Virtual Congress, 17-22 April.
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Table of Contents: AAN 2021
Featured articles
Letter from the Editor
Interview with AAN President Dr James C. Stevens
COVID-19 and Neurology
The neurological impact of COVID-19
Chemosensory dysfunction often persistent after COVID-19
Pandemic results in decreased global stroke care
Stroke uncommon in critically ill COVID-19 patients
Cognitive Impairment and Dementias
Obstructive sleep apnoea associated with lower cognition
NfL is a better marker for neurodegeneration than T-tau
Monoclonal antibody rapidly reduces brain amyloid
Epilepsy
Extraordinary transformation of epilepsy care in Ontario
No neurodevelopmental effects of foetal antiseizure medication
Migraine and Other Headaches
Long-term safety of atogepant as migraine prophylaxis
Multiple Sclerosis
Dysmetabolism may drive MS progression
Predicting long-term prognosis in paediatric MS patients
Neuromuscular Disorders
Functional and survival benefits of AMX0035 in ALS
Parkinson’s Disease and Other Movement Disorders
Autoimmune mechanisms implicated in Parkinson’s disease
Novel non–D2-receptor-binding treatment for Parkinson’s disease psychosis
Troriluzole for spinocerebellar ataxia
Stroke
Can linoleic acid help prevent stroke?
No association between SSRIs and risk of ICH
Other Topics
Vutrisiran for hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy
10 kHz spinal cord stimulation for painful diabetic neuropathy
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