Health Related Quality of Life of Stroke Survivors: Experience of a Stroke Unit

BACKGROUND Stroke has a major impact on survivors including Health related Quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL measurements are potentially more relevant to patients than measurements of impairments or disability and are an important index of outcome after stroke that can facilitate a broader description of disease and outcome. This study examined the factors associated with HRQoL of stroke survivors. METHODS In a cross-sectional and descriptive correlational design, 62 patients were prospectively enrolled and interviewed 3 months post stroke in neurology out-patient clinic. After case identification, functional status (handicap) was determined using the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), while Zung Depression Self-Rating Scale (ZDS) was used to determine presence of depression. HRQoL was assessed using the Stroke Impact Scale-16 (SIS-16). Age, sex, duration of formal education, depression and degree of disability were correlated with HRQoL in multiple logistic regressions. RESULTS The mean age of patients was 54.4 ± 9.9 years. Mean duration of formal education was significantly higher in males than females (p value=0.007). About one third (29%) of the stroke survivors were depressed and more than half (54.8%) had good recovery. Function status measured by modified Rankin Scale and depression were independent determinants of poor HRQoL. CONCLUSION Functional status and depression were identified as independent factors affecting HRQoL of stroke survivors.