The impact of lower extremity pain conditions on clinical variables and health-related quality of life in patients with stroke

Background: The presence of lower extremity pain may be associated with poorer motor recovery, impaired activities of daily living (ADL), reduced quality of life, and disability in patients with stroke. Objective: The aims of the study were to describe the characteristics of lower extremity pain conditions and to evaluate the impact of lower extremity pain on clinical variables, and health-related quality of life in patients with stroke. Methods: One hundred and eighty-five patients with stroke who have self-reported pain in the lower extremity were included in the study. Lower extremity pain characteristics of stroke survivors including etiology, intensity, onset time, frequency, aggravating factors, relieving factors, site, and location of pain were evaluated and recorded. The Brunnstrom motor recovery scale, the functional ambulation category, the mini-mental state examination, the star cancellation test, the beck depression inventory, the Barthel Index, and the Short Form-36 Questionnaire (SF-36) were used. Results: The causes of lower extremity pain were diagnosed as osteoarthritis (51.1%), central neuropathic pain (28.7%), mixed pain (10.3%), low back pain associated with leg pain (8.6%), greater trochanteric pain syndrome (5.2%), prior hip fracture (2.4%), heterotopic ossification (2%), developmental hip luxation (1%), hallux valgus (0.5%), and malignancy (0.5%). The intensity of lower extremity pain was a significant predictor of cognitive functions, ADL, depression, and all SF-36 subscales except emotional role and vitality. The duration of lower extremity pain was a significant predictor of depression and lower extremity spasticity. Conclusions: Since lower extremity pain conditions have a significant important influence on clinical variables and health-related quality of life in stroke survivors, early identification and appropriate treatment of the lower extremity pain conditions should be carried out in order to reduce the level of disability in stroke patients.