Quality of Life (QOL) among Stroke Patients Samar H.

Background: Stoke is a long-term condition. It is known as the most common cause of disability
among adults. The measurement of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) is important to
understand the actual status of the patients. Our aim was to assess HRQOL among stroke patients.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was applied to 65 strokes outpatients. Assessment
of QOL was done by the use of Barthel index, SF36, and Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SSQOL)
questionairs by personal interview.
Results: Our patients had low mean scores in all SF36 domains, the lowest was for RE with 3.46 ±
9.1 and GH was the best mean (51.7 ± 12.99). As regards SSQOL, patients had low mean scores on
the lowest subscale in productivity (6.72 ± 3.21), whereas the language was the least affected (15.86
± 6.26). There was a significant difference between the means of PCS and SSQOL in post-stroke
duration which was significantly higher in >24 months (37.21± 8.59 and p = 0.007and 141.57 ± 36.12
and p = 0.052 respectively) than in the shorter durations. The independent patients had significantly
higher PCS and SSQOL mean scores than who need assistance and immobile ones (26.79 ± 5.09
and p< 0.0001 and 101.93 ± 22.16 and p< 0.0001 respectively). Age and mobility were significantly
negative correlated with PCS, SSQOL, and Barthel scores while there was a significant positive
correlation between ULVC and LLVC testing grades and PCS, MCS, SSQOL and Barthel index
scores. In the linear regression model, duration, mobility and voluntary control of lower limbs were
predictors for PCS of SF-36 (p = 0.045, 0.000 and 0.036 respectively). There were no significant
predictors on MCS. On the other hand Mobility and voluntary control of lower limbs were significant
predictors for SSQOL (p = 0.001 and 0.051 respectively).
Conclusion: Stroke patient had poor QOL. A need for post-stroke care programs for improving the
physical, mental and social quality of life for those patients is mandatory.