Quality of Life after Stroke: A Two-Month Follow-Up

Kim, Hyon Chul; Kim, Se Joo; Choi, Nak Kyoung; Kim, Young Shin; Lee, Byung Chul; Lee, Byung Chul; Lee, Man Hong

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Currently, there is a growing interest of Quality of Life(QOL) in stroke patients. This study aimed at describing the temporal change of QOL in stroke patients and identifying factors that influence QOL of stroke survivors 2 month after the event.
METHODS
Data were collected on 98 stroke patients using a two month prospective follow-up design, using WHO QOL scale. The difference of the QOL between in acute phase and 2 month after stroke was compared with by t-test. The relationships between sociodemographic variables, depression, anxiety, social support and neurological variables, and QOL were examined by correlation analysis. Multiple regression analyses were performed to explore the predictors of QOL.
RESULTS
The overall QOL domains and total scores except the social support domain were left unchanged 2 month after stroke, even though mean anxiety scores had decreased and neurological disabilities had improved during the 2 month course. Depression, anxiety, social support and neurological disabilities were significantly correlated with total QOL and its sub-domains. Among these factors, Depression was of paramount importance in predicting QOL in acute phase and 2 month after stroke.
CONCLUSION
Although the mean of QOL in stroke patients had not significantly changed 2 month after stroke, QOL and its sub-domains were significantly correlated with depression and neurological disability. This study suggests that psychiatric intervention and holistic approach would be required after stroke as well as neurological treatment.