Similarities and differences in perception of disability between patients after a stroke and general practitioners, a pilot study

Abstract

Stroke, even if sequels are considered minimal, can lead to participation restrictions (PR) for patients. To determine whether, in the absence of management in physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM), the discomfort felt by stroke patients are screened by their general practitioner (GP). We have conducted a pilot study on patients less than 75 years old included more than 6 months after their stroke, with minimal sequelae, gone back home without rehabilitation management. They were assessed by the G-MAP questionnaire composed by 24 items that assessed their activity limitations (AL), their PR, any trouble, and the influence of the environment. In parallel, we have contacted their doctor to evaluate his feelings of trouble, compared to patients’ by Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Seventeen patients and 39 controls were included. There was a statistically significant difference in perception of trouble underevaluated by the GP for only 3 items out of 24: romantic relationships ( P = 0.038), sex ( P = 0.016) and group hobbies ( P = 0.026). GP have a good perception of the troubles of their patients, except for the romantic and sexual relationships, as well as group hobby. This involves coordination between PRM and GP in order to improve the assessment of PR and the environment of post-stroke patients.