Quality of life in post-stroke patients: self-evaluation of physical and mental health during six months.

The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the quality of life and resocialization of post-stroke patients in the Osijek-Baranya County during six months. The study included 161 patients (82 men and 79 women) having sustained their first ever acute stroke and being treated at University Department of Neurology, Osijek University Hospital Center in Osijek. The Health Survey SF-36 questionnaire was used for self-evaluation of the patients' physical and mental health. Initial assessment was carried out in the acute phase of the disease and follow-up assessments were carried out 30, 90 and 180 days post-stroke in patient homes. The mean value of physical health measured by SF was 46.1 on initial measurement, 37.8 on second, 44.3 on third and 53.0 on fourth measurement. The mean value of mental health was 48.0 on initial measurement, 36.6 on second, 44.0 on third and 48.5 on fourth measurement. The median of total physical health and mental health on all measurements was higher in men than in women. Comparison of the quality of life areas and the items measured by SF-36 questionnaire according to sex and measurements showed statistically significant differences on all four measurements in women for all items except for social function (p = 0.669). In men, statistically significant differences between the measurements were only recorded for the item of physical activity (p = 0.013). Stroke significantly impairs the quality of life of affected people. The study showed that the poorest results were recorded 30 days of the onset of symptoms, while recovery was achieved in six months. Patients affected by stroke who stayed with their families considered their physical and mental health better than before stroke.