Characteristics of Old Aged Stroke: Rehabilitation Perspectives

ABSTRACT

Background: To compare the risk factors, stroke features, and functional outcomes of old aged stroke patients (> or =75yr) admitted for rehabilitation with those of younger age group of patients ( or =75 years old) admitted to a rehabilitation facility were analyzed. Measures include stroke features, risk factors, comorbidities, length of rehabilitation stay and Mini-mental status examination (MMSE), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), and Functional Ambulation Category Scale (FAS). The functional outcomes were measured at admission and at discharge. Results: On admission, elderly patients showed lower body mass index (21.9 vs. 23.9), higher rates of cerebral infarction (71% vs. 54%), and lower MBI (31 vs. 46) than younger patients (p0.05). However, on discharge, MMSE (16 vs. 21), MBI (42 vs. 59), the ratio of 0, 1 by MRS (no significant disability; 18% vs 46%), and the ratio of 4, 5 by FAS (can walk independently on level ground; 29% vs 52%) were lower in elderly patients as compared to younger patients (p<0.05). The percentage of home discharge tended to be lower in elderly patients as compared with younger patients (55% vs 74%, p=0.051). Conclusion: The elderly stroke patients had poorer rehabilitation outcome as compared to younger age stroke patients within same rehabilitation stay. Therefore, setting the rehabilitation goal lower or allowing longer rehabilitation stay should be considered for old aged stroke patients.