Health-related quality of life among postischemic stroke patients

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to assess the effects of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in postischemic stroke patients. Methods: The cross-sectional survey included 100 patients who presented at neurology outpatient clinic of Shifa International Hospital of Pakistan for follow-up 6 months after stroke. The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess HRQOL. Stroke severity was determined by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to assess functional status and outcome. Results: Totally 100 patients including 63% males and 37% females with a mean age of 60.18 ΁ 13.1 years participated in this study. Among 41 (41%) patients with mRS ≥3, there were 22 (54%) males and 19 (46%) females as compared to 59 (59%) patients with mRS R3 including 41 (70%) males and 18 (31%) females. There were 57% of patients presented with right-sided weakness, 37% with left-sided weakness, 3% exhibited speech difficulty, and 1% presented with visual problems. Nonhypertensive patients scored better in physical role domain as compared to hypertensive patients (P = 0.004) on SF-36. Better social functioning was observed in those who had ischemic heart disease as compared to those without disease (P < 0.001). Higher physical component scores were seen among dyslipidemics as compared to nondyslipidemic patients (P = 0.052). Conclusion: This study provides insight into the relation between several health domains and major diseases in poststroke patients. This information is very important for physicians to rehabilitate poststroke patients presenting with comorbidities.