Variations in Health-Related Quality of Life After Stroke: Insights From a Clinical Trial on Arm Rehabilitation With a Long-Term Follow-Up

Abstract

Despite rehabilitation, stroke patients continue to have impaired function and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) even in a chronic stage. However, no clear information is available on long-term variations in HRQoL. In this study, we aimed to report the short- and long-term changes in HRQoL in a subacute stroke sample that was enrolled in a clinical trial on arm rehabilitation. Thirty-nine stroke survivors (62% male, mean age 68 years) were assessed using the Stroke Impact Scale Version 2.0 (SIS 2.0) pre and post rehabilitation and at 6 months and 6 years follow-up. Long-term changes in physical function were explored through clinically meaningful changes in the Stroke Impact Scale-16 (SIS-16). After rehabilitation ( P < .001), an overall improvement was found in all SIS domains except the memory and thinking, emotions, and communication domains. The baseline SIS-16 score ( P < .001), the presence of a sensory deficit, and rehabilitation setting ( P < .05) were factors related to the SIS-16 domain scores at the end of rehabilitation and at 6 months follow-up. Patients showed the most deterioration in the mobility ( P < .001), strength ( P < .003), and hand function ( P < .05) domains 6 years after stroke. Stroke severity, male gender, and age ⩾65 years are related with a long-term HRQoL reduction after stroke.

Comparing the EQ-5D-5L and stroke impact scale 2.0 in stroke patients: an analysis of measurement properties

“…Complete cases were used for this analysis. It was hypothesized that HRQoL measured by the 5L, SIS, their respective VAS and select dimensions would differ by age [ 49 – 51 ], sex [ 50 , 52 ], mRS [ 49 , 51 , 53 ], BI [ 54 – 56 ] and type of stroke [ 57 ]. For the analyses, age groups were categorized as follows: ≤ 44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75–79, 80–84 and ≥ 85.…”

“…Complete cases were used for this analysis. It was hypothesized that HRQoL measured by the 5L, SIS, their respective VAS and select dimensions would differ by age [49][50][51], sex [50,52], mRS [49,51,53], BI [54][55][56] and type of stroke [57]. For the analyses, age groups were categorized as To avoid selection bias, for each above-mentioned analysis, we compared patient characteristics of patients with complete and incomplete questionnaires before carrying out complete case analyses.…”