Quality of Life after Stroke

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to examine overall quality of life (QOL) in long term stroke survivals and to identify variables that predict QOL after stroke. METHOD: Subjects were 51 stroke patients (male; 28, female; 23) with stroke onset at least 6 months previously. Interview, measurement of depression and QOL were performed at outpatient clinic after discharge. Review of medical records included characteristics of stroke and communication disorders. Interview questionnare included caregiver, religion, education level, occupation and income. Depression and functional status was measured by the Beck depression inventory (BDI) and modified Barthel index (MBI), respectively. QOL was measured with the use of 5-item (activity, daily living, health, support, outlook) version of the Quality of Life Index (QLI) and its range of scores is 0~10. We compared QLI scores according to various factors obtained from medical records and questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean duration after onset of stroke was 33.6 months (range, 6~216 months). The mean score of QLI were 7.0+/-2.1. Low MBI score, communication disorder and depression had a negative effect on QOL (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Low MBI score, depression and communication disorders would be negative predictors of QOL and identification of these factor may assist stroke patients in coping their personal and social life.