Exploring dimensions of quality-of-life in survivors of stroke with communication disabilities–a brief report

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation

PubMed ID

35786371

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

45201

Funders

National Health and Medical Research Council Grants: 1034415, 1072053, 1042600, 1175821, 1112158, 1063761 / Further funding information available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2022.2095087

Grant Number

NHMRC Numbers : 1034415, 1072053, 1042600, 1175821, 1112158, 1063761

Grant Link

http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1034415 http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1072053 http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1042600 http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1112158 http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1063761

Comments

Thayabaranathan, T., Baker, C., Andrew, N. E., Stolwyk, R., Thrift, A. G., Carter, H., ... & Cadilhac, D. A. (2023). Exploring dimensions of quality-of-life in survivors of stroke with communication disabilities–a brief report. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 30(6), 603-609. https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2022.2095087

Abstract

Background: People with communication disabilities post-stroke have poor quality-of-life. Objectives: We aimed to explore the association of self-reported communication disabilities with different dimensions of quality-of-life between 90 and 180 days post-stroke. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were obtained between 90 and 180 days post-stroke from registrants in the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry recruited from three hospitals in Queensland. The usual follow-up survey included the EQ5D-3L. Responses to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and extra questions (e.g. communication disabilities) were also collected. We used χ2 statistics to determine differences. Results: Overall, 244/647 survivors completed the survey. Respondents with communication disabilities (n = 72) more often reported moderate to extreme problems in all EQ5D-3L dimensions, than those without communication disabilities (n = 172): anxiety or depression (74% vs 40%, p < .001), pain or discomfort (58% vs 39%, p = .006), self-care (46% vs 18%, p < .001), usual activities (77% vs 49%, p < .001), and mobility (68% vs 35%, p < .001). Respondents with communication disabilities reported less fatigue (66% vs 89%, p < .001), poorer cognitive skills (thinking) (16% vs 1%, p < .001) and lower social participation (31% vs 6%, p < .001) than those without communication disabilities. Conclusions: Survivors of stroke with communication disabilities are more negatively impacted across different dimensions of quality-of-life (as reported between 90 and 180 days post-stroke) compared to those without communication disabilities. This highlights the need for timely and on-going comprehensive multidisciplinary person-centered support.

DOI

10.1080/10749357.2022.2095087

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