Data source
TSR, launched in 2006, is a multi-center stroke registry system with participation of 38 hospitals (16 medical centers, 20 regional hospitals, and 2 local hospitals) in Taiwan20. Trained personals at participation hospitals were in charge of registry tasks and the follow-up data collection. The registration data contained demographic profiles, information on National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), hospitalization records, and discharge information. Telephone contacts were performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after stroke to collect follow-up information, including deaths. The informed consents were obtained from all patients before being included in the registry program. This study was performed in compliance with guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Institutional Review Board [CMUH102-REC1-086 (CR3)].