Health-related quality of life after stroke

Abstract

Objective: To assess health-related quality of life after stroke and associate this event with the characteristics of people who suffered a stroke. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted at a rehabilitation center for stroke survivors with 104 patients The Mini-mental state examination (MMSE); an instrument for collection of sociodemographic, economic, clinical, and family related information; and the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale were applied. Results: Of the 104 people investigated, 77 did not have cognitive deficit and answered the instruments. Their mean at the MMSE was 24.9 (±4.3). 51.9% were men and their mean age was 57.3 (±17.2) years. Most of them were married (48.1%) and had eight or more years of schooling (50.7%). Their health-related quality of life was affected (146.8±36.3), mainly in the social and family relations domains. Conclusion: An impairment in the health-related quality of life and negative consequences of the stroke were observed, together with dyslipidemia, left-side hemiplegia, and speech difficulty.