Abstract
Background: Handicap is rarely comprehensively examined after stroke. We examined handicap among 5-year stroke survivors from an ‘ideal’ stroke incidence study. Methods: Survivors were assessed with the London Handicap Scale [LHS, score range: 0 (greatest handicap) to 100 (least handicap)]. Multivariable regression was used to examine demographic, risk and stroke-related factors associated with handicap. Results: 351 of 441 (80%) survivors were assessed. Those assessed were more often Australian born than those not assessed (p < 0.05). The mean LHS score was 73 (SD = 21). The greatest handicap was present for physical independence and occupation/leisure items. Handicap was associated with older age, manual occupations, smoking, initial stroke severity, recurrent stroke and mood disorders. Conclusion: Reducing recurrent stroke, through better risk factor management, is likely to reduce handicap. The association between handicap and mood disorders, which are potentially modifiable, warrants further investigation.
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