Health-related quality of life in first-ever stroke patients

Health-related quality of life [HRQOL] is important to measure as it is an indication of outcome after stroke. Our objectives were to assess HRQOL in patients 3 months after stroke and to identify factors that predict HRQOL in stroke survivors. This cross-sectional study included 67 first-ever stroke patients hospitalized in the Ministry of Health Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic. HRQOL was measured by means of the Stroke Impact Scale-16 [SIS-16]. Patients were characterized by age, sex, duration of education, comorbidities, stroke type, affected side, concordance [parretic arm=dominant hand], cognitive function [Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]], and functional status [Functional Independence Measure [FIM]]. We used a linear regression model to examine the influence of demmographic and clinical characteristics on the different SIS-16 domains. The mean [SD] for age of the 67 patients was 62.03 [13.22] years [range, 33 to 81 years]. The MMSE and FIM scores were significantly correlated with the SIS-16 score [P < .001]. Linear regression analysis showed that age and functional status were the major independent determinants affecting HRQOL [P=.002 and P < .001, respectively]. In this study, we found that age and functional status had a powerful influence on HRQOL. Comprehensive therapy programs aimed to improve HRQOL should focus on improving functional disability, particularly in older stroke patients. There is a need for long-term follow-up studies in stroke patients throughout all recovery stages to evaluate HRQOL in more detail

Evaluation of blood and serum markers in spinal cord injured patients with pressure sores

To evaluate blood and serum markers in traumatic spinal cord injured [SCI] patients, with and without pressure sores. This cross-sectional study was performed at the Ministry of Health Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit, and Numune Education and Research Hospitals, Ankara, Turkey, from 2006-2008. A total of 23 SCI patients with pressure sores [group I] and a control group of 25 SCI patients without pressure sores [group II] were evaluated. Characteristics of sores were examined with respect to duration, location, grade, tissue types, surface area, and exudate amount. Recorded laboratory parameters included erythrocyte sedimentation rates [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP], hemoglobin [Hb], hematocrit [Htc], lymphocytes, white blood cells [WBC], red blood cells [RBC], serum iron, transferrin, total iron-binding capacity [TIBC], ferritin, total protein, albumin, vitamin B12, and zinc. The most common pressure sore location was the sacrum [38%]. Compared to the control group, the patients with pressure sores showed anemia with reduced serum iron, transferrin, TIBC, and increased ferritin. They also had increased ESR, CRP, and WBC and reduced lymphocytes, total protein, albumin and zinc. Statistically significant correlations were found between CRP, Hb, Htc, lymphocytes, RBC, WBC, and serum protein levels, and grade of pressure sores. Clinicians should regularly screen patients with respect to blood and serum markers, in order to determine any risks for pressure sores, and they should perform immediate preventive measures based on the patient's condition