Gender differences in disability and lifestyle among community-dwelling elderly stroke patients in Kitakyushu, Japan.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether there were differences in lifestyle and performance of activities of daily living (ADL) between men and women in a population of elderly stroke patients.

DESIGN

Case-comparison study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty-eight men and 34 women who were elderly stroke patients living in the community with a spouse or family members were evaluated with the self-rating Barthel Index (SRBI), Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and a pedometer for physical activity. Control subjects, 30 men and 30 women, were assessed with the FAI.

RESULTS

Among the stroke subjects, there were no significant differences in age, SRBI, motor score of the SIAS, or physical activity between men and women; however, men had significantly lower values than did women for three FIM items and the total FIM score and for 6 FAI items and the total FAI score. Among control subjects, men had significantly lower values than did women for 7 FAI items and the total FAI score (Tukey's test, p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Among elderly stroke patients, men received more support from family members in ADL performance and had less active lifestyles than did women, possibly because of cultural gender roles.