The aim of the study was to analyze the 5-year survival after first-ever ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage. In this study 836 patients were analyzed with a first-ever stroke admitted at the Department of Neurology Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from January 1(st) 1997 to December 31(st) 1998. Of these 613 (73,3%) were ischemic strokes and 223 intracerebral hemorrhages (26,7%) Subarachnoid hemorrhages were excluded. After hospitalization surviving patients examined periodically, and a final examination was performed 5 years after the stroke. Overall, case-fatility at the first month was 36% (301/836) and the mortality rate was significantly higher in the patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (58,3% vs. 27,9%, p<0,0001). The first year survived 60% patients with ischemic stroke, and 38% with intracerebral hemorrhage. After 5 years, 188 (31%) patients with ischemic stroke and 53 (24%) with intracerebral hemorrhage were alive (p=0,5), and the cumulative survival rate for the entire study was 29%. Among 30-day survivors (n=535) surviving rate after 5 years was significantly higher in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (57% vs. 42,5%, p=0,01). The survival rate was the highest for those 50 years and younger (57%), and the lowest for those aged over 70 years (9%). Predictors of 5-year mortality were older age and hypertension for both types of stroke, heart diseases for ischemic stroke and diabetes for intracerebral hemorrhage. Long-term survival after first-ever ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage is similar. However, among 30-day survivors the 5-year survival is better in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

It was performed electroneurographic (ENG) studies with surface electrodes and examined nervus medianus (NM) in 60 patients (38 females), average age of 50,28 years (X+/-SD=50,28+/-11), with clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and at least one border or discrete abnormal value of conventional electrophysiological tests. It was also examined 57 healthy individuals (33 females) as control group, average age of 45,65 years (X+/-SD=45,65+/-9,68). The sensitivity and specificity of sensory-motor index (SMI), terminal latency index (TLI) and residual latency (RL) were calculated and compared. SMI is determinate by using following formula: distal distance (DD) (in cm)/distal motor latency (DML) (in ms) + sensory conduction velocity (SCV) (in m/s)/motor conduction velocity (MCV) (in m/s) of NM. SCV of NM was measured by antidromic technique in segment wrist-index finger and MCV of NM in forearm segment above wrist. SMI mean value of control group was 3,45 (X+/-SD=3,45+/-0,45) with lower limit of normal value 2,82 and in patients with CTS 2,13 (X+/-SD=2,13 +/-0,37). The sensitivity of SMI in patients with CTS was 98,51%. SMI is useful parameter in electroneurographical diagnosis of CTS and it's determination is easy and fast and specially important in cases with border or discrete abnormal values of other NM electrophysiological parameters, when SMI values can indicate incipient phase of CTS evolution. In rare cases (about 1%) of CTS with selective NM motor axons affection, SMI may have normal value (false negative result), but DML is always prolonged in this cases. SMI is not dependent on age and DD values in patients with CTS and control subjects.