Long-term health states relevant to young persons with stroke living in the community in southern Stockholm - a study of self-rated disability and predicting factors.

PURPOSE

The purpose was to explore self-rated long-term disability and to analyze whether initial stroke-related, personal and environmental factors can predict disability in a population-based sample of community-dwelling young (<65 years) persons suffering a stroke in 2000-2006.

METHOD

Data on initial stroke-related, personal and environmental factors were retrieved from medical records. A study-specific posted questionnaire was used.

RESULTS

Of the 158 young persons with stroke, 78% had suffered a mild stroke. Tiredness was the most commonly reported mental impairment (86%) followed by impaired memory (67%). A majority reported limitations/restrictions in returning to leisure activities (58%) and work (52%). Stroke-related, personal and environmental factors failed to predict self-reported mental and physical impairments, but predicted activity limitations/participation restrictions with an acceptable power of accuracy (0.70-0.73) but a low sensitivity (0.28-0.59).

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of these young persons were diagnosed with a mild stroke but experienced long-term mental impairments and activity limitations/participation restrictions that could not be predicted by initial stroke-related, personal and environmental factors solely. Therefore, regular long-term assessments irrespective of initial stroke severity are warranted in order to identify disabilities and improve the state of health among young persons with stroke when needed.