Quality of life of stroke survivors in Bangladesh

Abstract

Objective: In Bangladesh, the factors that contribute to the reduced quality of life were not systematically investigated in long-term stroke survivors, and only a few studies have used preference-based measures to assess the quality of life. We sought to assess the quality of life in stroke survivors who comprise physical health status, psychological state, social relationship, and surrounding environment of the stroke patients. Methods: The quality of life among stroke patients was assessed with a semi-structured questionnaire using the validated Bangla Version of the World Health Organization, Quality-of-Life scale among the patients who survived beyond 28 days of first-ever stroke occurrence presenting in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the period between November 2020 and October 2021. Results: Of the 77 patients who were identified as post-stroke patients, the mean score of overall quality of life (as assessed by Q1 and scored in a range of 1–5) was 3.14 ± 1.08. The mean scores of quality of life were highest for the psychological domain (51.18 ± 19.73) followed by environmental (52.08 ± 13.13), social (45.62 ± 22.73), and physical domains (37.18 ± 18.56). According to the classification of the Bangla Version of the World Health Organization, Quality-of-Life, 75.3% had a low physical quality of life, 37.7% had a low psychological quality of life, 53.2% had a low social quality of life, and 53.2% had a moderate environmental quality of life. The average scores for the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains were notably lower in stroke survivors with comorbid chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, and ischemic heart disease in comparison to those without such conditions. Conclusion: In our study, post-stroke patients with lower quality of life were associated with factors such as female gender, lower level of education, urban dwellers, and chronic diseases.