Factors predicting survival, changes in activity limitations, and disability in a geriatric post-stroke population.

Abstract

This study is based on data for individuals with a history of stroke taken from the NIA-sponsored Longitudinal Study of Aging (LSOA), 1984-1990. It provides information on the factors predicting survival and changes in disability and activity limitations in this cohort with stroke or cerebrovascular accident over the period of two years, 1984 to 1986. The results indicate that individuals who were less than 80 years old had higher chances of survival and were likely to show reduced activity limitations and disabilities. It was also observed that the individuals who were in excellent health were more likely to survive despite a history of stroke. Individuals with severe activity limitations had a very low incidence of survival over the two-year period. Further, the results of this study support the contention that the increased use of health care resources in the form of visits to physicians, hospitals, and nursing homes results in improved survival and lower disability and activity limitations among the elderly.