Prognosis and prognostic factors in ADL-dependent stroke patients during their first in-patient rehabilitation – a prospective multicentre study

Abstract

Purpose. This prospective longitudinal study aimed at a description of ADL-functioning and at an analysis, which clinical instruments predict independency 6 months after discharge from in-patient rehabilitation following disabling first stroke.Method. A total of 147 patients with disabling first stroke were recruited from three neurological rehabilitation centres. They were assessed during their first in-patient rehabilitation with the NIH Stroke Scale, Hemispheric Stroke Scale (HSS), Activity Index, Barthel Index, Neurobehavioural Rating Scale, Cornell Depression Scale, and the prognostic prediction of the rehabilitation neurologist. The 6 months outcome was established with the Nottingham Extended ADL Scale (NEADL) and by the legal dependency status.Results. The best prediction of 6 months outcome as measured by the NEADL was obtained by the HSS and a multivariate model that also included the physician's prognostic prediction, both early in rehabilitation and at discharge. The dependency status was best predicted by the HSS and patient's sex.Conclusion. Clinical scales performed during rehabilitation such as the HSS are valid for prediction of ADL-dependency 6 months after discharge.