Purpose: This study aims to explore quality of life (QOL) during the first year of recovery after stroke in North Norway and Central Denmark. Method: Individual in-depth interviews with 11 stroke survivors were performed twelve months after stroke onset. An interpretative, inductive approach shaped the interview process and the processing of data. Results: We found that QOL reflected the individuals’ reconstruction of the embodied self, which was identified by three intertwined and negotiating processes: a familiar self, an unfamiliar self, and a recovery of self. Further, we found that reconstruction of the embodied self and QOL could be framed as an ongoing and interrelated process of “being, doing, belonging and becoming”. Enriching social relations, successful return to work, and continuity and presence in professional support during recovery enhanced the experience of QOL. Fatigue and sustained reduced function hindered participation in meaningful activities and influenced the perceived QOL negatively. Conclusions: The two countries differed in descriptions of continuity and support in the professional follow-up during the recovery process, influencing the degree of encouragement in reconstructing the embodied self. Reconstruction of the embodied self is a means of understanding stroke survivors’ QOL during the first year of recovery, supporting an individualized and tailored rehabilitation practice.

Information obtained from the case-records and completed questionnaires from 478 patients operated in the 5-year-period 1980 through 1984 with either septoplasty or submucous resection (SMR), has been analysed on an average 31 months after surgery. Two hundred (42 per cent) underwent SMR and 278 (58 per cent) septoplasty. Twenty per cent presented for a clinical follow-up examination. Of the 478 patients, 63 per cent were satisfied. More patients were satisfied with the functional results after septoplasty, which also resulted in fewer and smaller perforations than SMR. Septoplasty ought to replace the latter as the routine procedure. 10 per cent had troublesome crusting independent of the technique used. Change in the external shape of the nose is a minor problem for the patients, and was not regarded as an indication for re-operation. Patients with allergic rhinitis may undergo septal surgery on general lines. - IntroductionThe submucous resection operation (SMR), as we understand and perform it today, was first described by Freer (1902) and by Killian (1904). They both, independently, recommended visualization of septal cartilage and bone, while preserving the overlying mucosa. The mucosa was allowed to fall into median apposition after the framework that held it off-centre had been carefully removed. The principle of saving a dorsal cartilaginous strut was established to avoid collapse of the supratip (Freer, 1902), while Killian also preserved a caudal strut (1904).The septoplasty operation was introduced approximately half a century later (Cottle and Loring, 1946;Goldman, 1956;Cottle, 1960), and has been subsequently modified on numerous occasions. The sine qua non of all methods is the conservation and relocation of septal supporting tissues. Septoplasty has to a large extent replaced SMR as the routine technique without solving all the problems of this type of surgery. Several studies in the literature reveal that 25-35 per cent of patients do not achieve a satisfactory result (Sloth and K0lendorf, 1976;Peacock, 1981;Stoksted and Gutierrez, 1983; Dommerby etal., 1985). We have therefore examined retrospectively the results of five years of septum operations at our institution.

Background:There is a paucity of stroke-specific instruments to assess health-related quality of life in the Norwegian language. The objective was to examine the validity and reliability of a Norwegian version of the 12-domain Stroke-Specific Quality of Life scale.Methods:A total of 125 stroke survivors were prospectively recruited. Questionnaires were administered at 3 months; 36 test–retests were performed at 12 months post stroke. The translation was conducted according to guidelines. The internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha; convergent validity, with item-to-subscale correlations; and test–retest, with Spearman’s correlations. Scaling validity was explored by calculating both floor and ceiling effects. A priori hypotheses regarding the associations between the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life domain scores and scores of established measures were tested. Standard error of measurement was assessed.Results:The Norwegian version revealed no major changes in back translations. The internal consistency values of the domains were Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79–0.93. Rates of missing items were small, and the item-to-subscale correlation coefficients supported convergent validity (0.48–0.87). The observed floor effects were generally small, whereas the ceiling effects had moderate or high values (16%–63%). Test–retest reliability indicated stability in most domains, with Spearman’s rho = 0.67–0.94 (all p < 0.001), whereas the rho was 0.35 (p < 0.05) for the ‘Vision’ domain. Hypothesis testing supported the construct validity of the scale. Standard error of measurement values for each domain were generated to indicate the required magnitudes of detectable change.Conclusions:The Norwegian version of the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life scale is a reliable and valid instrument with good psychometric properties. It is suited for use in health research as well as in individual assessments of persons with stroke.