Gender differences in health‐related quality of life among stroke patients

Abstract

Background: To determine whether differences in health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) exist between male and female stroke patients and, if present, to identify factors influencing these differences.Methods: A questionnaire assessing HRQOL, measured by the EuroQol questionnaire, and functional outcome was mailed to 792 stroke patients and responded by 604 patients 39.6 ± 18.4 (mean ± standard deviation) months after stroke onset. A total of 480 patients who lived at home after discharge were considered eligible for the analysis.Results: The mean quality of life (QOL) utility score for men (0.79 ± 0.22) was significantly higher than that for women (0.69 ± 0.26; P < 0.001). At discharge, men had a significantly better ability to walk than women (P < 0.001). The ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) was also better among men than women after discharge (P < 0.01). A close relationship was observed between QOL utility scores and performance of ADL in both genders. A higher proportion of women were found to be in a state of anxiety or depression. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the QOL utility scores for men and women were influenced by functional changes, and the ADL items walking and dressing ability after discharge. In addition, the score for women was influenced by walking ability at discharge.Conclusions: HRQOL among men was significantly better than that among women. The difference in QOL scores appears to be influenced by the poorer outcome of ADL and the higher proportion of post‐stroke anxiety and depression among women.