Sequelae and Quality of Life in Patients Living at Home 1 Year After a Stroke Managed in Stroke Units.

Introduction: Knowledge about residual deficiencies and their consequences on daily life activities among stroke patients living at home 1-year after the initial event managed in stroke units is poor. This multi-dimensional study assessed the types of deficiencies, their frequency and the consequences that the specific stroke had upon the daily life of patients. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, assessing, using standardized scales, 1 year post-stroke disabilities, limitations of activities, participation and quality of life, was carried out by telephone interview and by mail in a sample of stroke patients who returned home after having been initially managed in a stroke unit. Results: A total of 161 patients were included (142 able to answer the interview on their own; 19 needing a care-giver). Amongst a sub-group of the patients interviewed, 55.4% (95% Confidence Interval [47.1-63.7]) complained about pain and 60.0% (95% CI [51.4-68.6]) complained of fatigue; about 25% presented neuropsychological or neuropsychiatric disability. Whilst 87.3% (95% CI [81.7-92.9]) were independent for daily life activities, participation in every domains and quality of life scores, mainly in daily activity, pain, and anxiety subscales, were low. Conclusion: Despite a good 1-year post-stroke functional outcome, non-motor disabling symptoms are frequent amongst patients returned home and able to be interviewed, contributing to a low level of participation and a poor quality of life. Rehabilitation strategies focused on participation should be developed to break the vicious circle of social isolation and improve quality of life.

Post-stroke follow-up: Time to organize.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: General practitioners (GPs) are pivotal in the organization of the entire post-stroke management system. This study aimed to examine the sequelae of chronic post-stroke patients and to assess whether the medical follow-up organized by GPs is truly in accordance with current recommendations and patients' clinical needs. METHODS: This was an observational study including chronic post-stroke patients after a first stroke. Their post-stroke follow-ups (visits to GPs and specialist doctors) were compared with guidelines and with clinical needs as evaluated through a number of questionnaires. RESULTS: Overall, 53.2% of patients visited a neurologist as recommended and, although 49.4% had neuropsychiatric consequences, only 6.3% visited a psychiatrist. Similarly, while 34.2% had significant post-stroke disability, only 6.3% saw a rehabilitation physician. CONCLUSION: Taking into account not only cardiovascular prevention, but all post-stroke consequences, medical follow-ups as organized by GPs were not in accordance with recommendations and failed to take advantage of the currently available multidisciplinary resources required to improve patients' needs.