ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Stroke survivors may be dependent and need additional attention. We aimed to determine factors that related to quality of life of stroke survivors. METHODS: A hospital-based analytical study was performed between January 1 and March 31, 2008 at Srinagarind Hospital in the Khon Kaen province of Thailand. Factors related to quality of life using the Thai 36-item Short Form (SF-36) rating scale were studied. RESULTS: There were 237 stroke survivors in the study. The age range of participants was between 20 and 91 years of age (mean = 63.7 ± 12.8, median = 65.0). For physical health summary scale, factor related with better scale were male gender (P < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.3-21.9), aged under 50 (P < .001; 95% CI 6.3-21.9), educational level higher than bachelor degree (P < .001; 95% CI 8.1-22.3), and unemployed status (P < .001; 95% CI 6.4-19.8). For mental health summary scale, the education level (P < .001; 95% CI 7.3-20.1), employment status (P = .007; 95% CI 2.3-14.5), household income (P < .001), and disease severity (P < .001; 95% CI 15.5-27.7) had statistically significant difference. Overall, the age, level of education, employment status, monthly household income and the modified Rankin scale score related to the quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The factors related to quality of life were age, educational level, occupation, monthly household income, and modified Rankin scale score.
Subject(s)
Mental Health , Quality of Life , Stroke/psychology , Survivors/psychology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Disability Evaluation , Educational Status , Female , Humans , Income , Male , Middle Aged , Occupations , Outpatient Clinics, Hospital , Prognosis , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Stroke/diagnosis , Stroke Rehabilitation , Surveys and Questionnaires , Thailand , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Stroke, a disease of the cerebral blood vessels, is known as paralysis disease in Thailand and is a major public health problem. Stroke is a chronic disease with a lengthy development, leading to a paralytic state in which the patient faces obstacles doing his/her daily routine and needs to depend upon others. Expenses are for both in hospital treatment and homecare. A study on the quality of life of stroke outpatients was conducted in order to plan assistance to patients, both at the family and health service unit level. The present study represents the first of its kind performed at Srinagarind Hospital. OBJECTIVE: To study the quality of life of stroke outpatients at Srinagarind Hospital. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive research. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A questionnaire was constructed by the researchers, the content and methodology of which was checked by experts. The first section collects personal information and the second the quality of life using the SF-36 rating scale, which has been used on many chronic patients in ten different countries and both the English and Thai versions who have undergone validity testing. RESULTS: The stroke outpatients were between 20 and 91 years of age (mean, 64 +/- 12.8). Most (31.6%) were diagnosed with cerebral infarction, with a Modified Rankin Score of 1. Concurrent diseases included hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes, respectively. The quality of life was relatively good in all tested aspects. The highest scoring category was mental health and role emotional, which accounted for 69.5 and 68.0 percentage, respectively. The worst two categories reported were vitality and general health, both accounting for 60.0%, which had an impact on self esteem, exacerbated if the patients felt tired, exhausted and/or believed their lives were becoming worse. CONCLUSION: The present study can be used to improve the management of stroke out-patient services. It is recommended that a healthcare team be set up at the hospital clinic to provide assistance for dealing with both feelings and emotions.
