Abstract
This study aims to identify the predictors in the different aspects of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to measure the changes of functional status over time in a cohort of Nigerian stroke survivors. A prospective observational study was conducted in three hospitals of Kano state of Nigeria where stroke survivors receive rehabilitation. The linguistic-validated Hausa versions of the stroke impact scale 3.0, modified Rankin scale, Barthel index and Beck depression inventory scales were used. Paired samples t-test was used to calculate the amount of changes that occur over time and the forward stepwise linear regression model was used to identify the predictors. A total of 233 stroke survivors were surveyed at 6 months, and 93% (217/233) were followed at 1 year after stroke. Functional disabilities were significantly reduced during the recovery phase. Motor impairment, disability, and level of depression were independent predictors of HRQoL in the multivariate regression analysis. The involvement of family members as caregivers is the key factor for those survivors with improved functional status. Thus, to enhance the quality of poststroke life, it is proposed that a holistic stroke rehabilitation service and an active involvement of family members are established at every possible level.
Highlights
Stroke-related mortality and morbidity in late adulthood continue to be a public health problem in many developing countries
Two hundred and thirty three stroke survivors participated in the study and they were surveyed at 6 months after stroke
The level of poststroke disability or dependence in performing daily life activities is significantly reduced which was measured by modified Rankin scale
Summary
Stroke-related mortality and morbidity in late adulthood continue to be a public health problem in many developing countries. Stroke along with other chronic diseases like cardiovascular, cancer, and diabetes will continue to augment the burden of chronic diseases in low and middle income countries [1,2,3]. Stroke has become one of the major contributors of disease burden of African countries [4,5,6]. Its prevalence has started to increase in Nigeria, with prevalence of 1.14 per 1000 while a 30-day case fatality rate is as high as 40% [7]. Several hospital-based researches have found that stroke is one of the major neurological causes of admission and case fatality in Nigeria currently [8,9,10,11]. Due to improved treatment and management, stroke-related mortality is declining, leaving many survivors disabled [12, 13]
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