Medical complications during inpatient stroke rehabilitation at a tertiary care rehabilitation hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and types of medical complications that occur during stroke inpatient rehabilitation at a tertiary care rehabilitation hospital in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care rehabilitation hospital in Riyadh Saudi Arabia RESULTS: Our study included 60 patients with an age range of 20-95 years (mean=63 years); 37(62%) males and 23(38%) females. Left side of body was more commonly involved (62%). The strokes were predominantly ischemic in origin (78.3%). Hypertension (95%), diabetes mellitus (65%), history of smoking (26.7%), prior stroke (26.7%) and hyperlipidemia (21.7%), were the most common preexisting conditions found in our study. Musculoskeletal pain (63.33%), depression (21.6%), urinary tract infection (18.33%), and stroke progression (7%), were the most frequently occurring medical complications in stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS: Medical complications are common during inpatient stroke rehabilitation. The most common medical complications were musculoskeletal pain, followed by depression and urinary tract infection. Early prevention, detection, and treatment of the most commonly occurring complications should be established.