Pain following stroke, initially and at 3 and 18 months after stroke, and its association with other disabilities

Background and purpose A general hypothesis is that pain following stroke (PFS) causes disabilities. However, the clinical implication of PFS on other disabilities after stroke and vice versa has not been fully investigated. The aims of this observational study were to analyze the correlation between PFS and other disabilities at different time points after stroke, whether PFS can be a predictor of coming disabilities and whether other disabilities can be predictors of coming PFS. Methods Patients with a first-ever stroke were assessed initially (n similar to=similar to 109), and at 3 (n similar to=similar to 95) and 18 months (n similar to=similar to 66) after stroke for PFS, mobility, self-care as well as touch, proprioceptive, muscle tone, and movement functions. Results PFS was correlated to impaired upper extremity movement function on all occasions, while the correlations between PFS and other disabilities varied across the three occasions. Initial PFS and PFS at 3 similar to months did not independently predict coming disabilities. Initial mobility limitation independently predicted PFS at 3 similar to months and impaired touch function, initially and at 3 similar to months, independently predicted PFS at 18 similar to months. No other disabilities independently predicted coming PFS. Conclusions The present results do not support the hypothesis that PFS causes other disabilities. Our results indicate that PFS is correlated to other disabilities; however, no ultimate conclusions can be drawn on causality. PFS was not a predictor of coming disabilities, while some disabilities were predictors of coming PFS.