Abstract
BackgroundThe goal of the study was to investigate the long-term course of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in stroke survivors during and up to 2.5 years after inpatient neurological rehabilitation and to identify predictors of HRQoL.MethodsHRQoL was determined in 152 stroke survivors in a single-centre prospective cohort study at four time points: upon admission to inpatient rehabilitation, at discharge, and one and 2.5 years after discharge. Their HRQoL was determined by administering the EQ-5D at all four measurement points. During inpatient rehabilitation, the SF-36 was administered in addition to the EQ-5D. Predictors were identified through multiple regression analysis.ResultsDuring inpatient rehabilitation, the “European Index” of the EQ-5D rose significantly (p < 0.001) from 45.4 to 66.7. The change in HRQoL on the SF-36 was convergent. The HRQoL of the stroke patients living at home remained at the same level for 2.5 years following discharge. In the multiple regression analysis, the EQ-5D Index at discharge (p = 0.049), the risk of falls as defined by Runge and Rehfeld (p = 0.001), and the change in emotional quality of life on the SF-36 during inpatient rehabilitation (p = 0.048) predicted HRQoL 2.5 years following discharge.ConclusionOn the basis of our results, we conclude that the long-term health-related quality of life of stroke survivors can be positively influenced by reducing the risk of falls and improving emotional well-being during neurological inpatient rehabilitation.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12955-015-0258-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity [1]
The first aim of this study was to depict the course of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in stroke survivors by first measuring it at admission to inpatient neurological rehabilitation and measuring it several times until 2.5 years following
This study included all stroke survivors who underwent neurological inpatient rehabilitation at the Fachklinik Herzogenaurach (Clinic for In- and Outpatient Rehabilitation Medicine providing medical care to patients from the metropolitan areas of Nuremberg, Fuerth, and Erlangen in Bavaria, Germany– including urban and rural regions) and who met the following inclusion criteria: (a) stroke according to the WHO (World Health Organisation) definition; (b) moderate to severe functional deficits; (c) living at home before the stroke; and (d) informed consent
Summary
Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity [1] This statement defines health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as a construct that focusses on the respondent’s subjective perception and consists of physical, mental, and social dimensions [2]. The review article by Carod-Artal et al provides an overview of the predictors of HRQoL in stroke survivors reported by longitudinal studies. These are age, sex, stroke severity, physical impairment, functional status, and mental impairment. The goal of the study was to investigate the long-term course of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in stroke survivors during and up to 2.5 years after inpatient neurological rehabilitation and to identify predictors of HRQoL
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