Quality of Life and Disability in Stroke Survivors

Abstract

Background: With advancing treatment of stroke patients, their mortality has decreased but morbidity and disability has increased. Hence, it becomes increasingly important to find the measures to improve these areas. The study aims to assess the quality of life (QOL) and disability in stroke survivors at least six months post stroke.
 Methods: Descriptive, cross sectional design was used to assess the QOL and disability in stroke patients attending Neuromedicine and Neurosurgery out-patient departments of Kathmandu Medical College. Data was collected purposively using interview from 155 respondents. QOL was assessed using Health Related Quality of Life in Stroke Patients (HRQOLISP-40) and disability was measured by using World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). Analysis was done using Pearson’s correlation and Mann Whitney U test.
 Results: The QOL was found to be best in the ‘ecosocial’ and worst in the ‘soul’ domain. In disability, patients scored the best in ‘Getting along with people’ and ‘self-care’ domains and worst in the ‘life activities: school/ work’ domain. Respondents with hemorrhagic stroke, only one admission and those who did not exercise had better QOL. Patients with less than 10 years of formal education, those not earning and those with comorbidities had more disability. Correlation analysis showed better QOL with lesser age, higher monthly family income and higher Barthel index whereas higher disability was found in respondents with higher age and lower Barthel index.
 Conclusions: Disability in stroke patients needs to be addressed inorder to improve their QOL. The domains affected should be given attention during rehabilitation of stroke patients.

Stroke epidemiology and outcomes of stroke patients in Nepal: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…All 55 studies were hospital-based and were conducted in the tertiary health sector. Of the 55 studies in stroke patients, majority (n = 26) were done in Kathmandu valley [ 12 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 19 , 22 , 27 – 29 , 31 , 33 , 34 , 41 – 45 , 49 – 52 , 54 , 55 , 59 , 61 , 64 ], followed by Sunsari (n = 7) [ 18 , 30 , 40 , 53 , 56 , 60 , 63 ], Chitwan (n = 6) [ 21 , 25 , 26 , 47 , 48 , 57 ] and Morang (n = 6) [ 24 , 32 , 36 , 46 , 58 , 62 ], which represent Central and Eastern region of Nepal. Only three studies were done in Nepalgunj, the Mid-western part of Nepal [ 11 , 23 , 39 ].…”

Translation and adaptation of the stroke-specific quality of life scale into Swahili

“…The deteriorating health-related quality of life (HRQOL) burden in the stroke population is increasing globally, raising public health concerns (Muralidharan et al 2019 ; Shakya et al 2019 ). Medical advances in the management of patients with stroke and demographic changes witnessed mainly in populations of lower-middle income countries have led to a decrease in stroke deaths (6.5 million), an increase in stroke survivors (25.7 million) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) (113 million) (Donkor 2018 ).…”

“…Stroke has been and remains a major cause of adult activity limitation and participation restriction, which poses a challenge to the HRQOL among people with stroke (Donkor 2018 ; Gorelick 2019 ; Odetunde, Akinpelu & Odole 2017 ). Stroke prevalence is estimated at 0.5% globally with lower-middle-income countries recording high numbers of stroke deaths and DALYs (4.85m and 91.4m) as compared to high-income countries (1.6m and 21.5m) (Donkor 2018 ; Odetunde, Akinpelu & Odole 2018 ; Shakya et al 2019 ; Tawa et al 2021 ). The global detrimental effects of stroke on activity and participation are the reason why people with stroke seek rehabilitation services to improve symptoms, function and enhance their well-being (Gbiri & Akinpelu 2013 ; Muralidharan et al 2019 ; Winstein et al 2016 ).…”

“…However, there is a paucity of translation and cultural adaptation of the SSQOL scale into Swahili in sub-Saharan Africa and more so in Kenya despite Swahili being the most widely spoken language in sub-Saharan Africa (Kibui 2014 ; Michira & Iribemwangi 2014 ). Even so, researchers (Donkor 2018 ; Odetunde et al 2018 ; Shakya et al 2019 ) have revealed that lower-middle-income countries are the most affected by stroke, thus the need for utilisation of HRQOL measures that are language-appropriate for better outcomes. Therefore, translation and adaptation of the SSQOL scale into Swahili is fundamental in the Kenyan context as well as the entire sub-Saharan Africa to fill the gap.…”

Evaluation of Nurses practices regarding postoperative pain management among Adult patient with abdominal surgery

“…A lack of pain awareness and practices was a major obstacle to successful pain management (Salim et al, 2020). In reality, it can have a direct impact on the comfort and lifestyle of patients, producing nausea, vomiting, weariness, tension, loss of control, poor quality of life, and a lack of sexual activity and public relations, as well as poor work performance and everyday activities (Arab et al .,2016;Shakya et al .,2016). Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that is associated with real or potential tissue damage (Jaleta et al, 2021).…”