Prior to the result analysis, the model is validated with a fabricated chamber type prototype muffler fitted to a four stroke single cylinder petrol engine.
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale has been validated in stroke [ 25 27] but not the acute setting and the Geriatric Depression Scale has not been validated within stroke populations.
A secondary aim is to highlight suitable high quality alternative instruments which have not yet been validated for stroke survivors.
It has also been validated in patients with stroke [ 5, 6].
The psychometric properties of the SS-QOL have been validated in patients with ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage [ 10, 18, 20].
For the thromboembolism analyses, we identified the risk factors included in the CHA2DS2-VASc score (i.e., congestive heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes, prior stroke/transient ischaemic attack/thromboembolism, vascular disease, and sex category), which has been validated for prediction of stroke in patients with AF [ 13, 23].
This scoring system has been validated for prediction of stroke risk in patients with AF. 15 We also summarised data on previous episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding and head injuries because these conditions could contraindicate anticoagulant treatment.
This instrument has not, to our knowledge, been validated for the wider stroke population.
11 15 Clinical prediction rules have been validated in patients with AF to predict stroke and bleeding (JA Pereira. Methods to predict individualized combined benefit/harm patient profiles for warfarin. Graduate Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences [unpublished doctoral dissertation] Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto, 2008).
