Predictors of quality of life following stroke

Purpose: To determine the factors predicting quality of life during the course of rehabilitation following stroke. Method: Two hundred and fifteen stroke patients aged 41 - 93 were studied over a period of three months. Measurement of quality of life, functional ability, social support, demographic and treatment data were taken on admission to the rehabilitation hospital, at two weeks and three months. The instruments used were the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and The Social Support Questionnaire, short form (SSQ6). Results: Length of stay, previous stroke, functional ability and social support were found to be significantly correlated with quality of life. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that functional ability, psychological and physical SIP dimensions, social support satisfaction at two weeks and previous stroke explained 47% of the variance in sickness impact at three months following stroke. The factors predicting 53% of the variance in sickness impact at two weeks were baseline functional ability, psychological and physical SIP. Conclusions: The findings indicate that both psychosocial and physical factors are important in predicting quality of life in stroke rehabilitation. Determining such predictors at an early stage will help to guide clinical decisions throughout rehabilitation.