Factors Related to Quality of Life of Stroke Survivors

Background: Stroke survivors may be dependent and need additional attention. We aimed to determine factors that related to quality of life of stroke survivors. Methods: A hospital-based analytical study was performed between January 1 and March 31, 2008 at Srinagarind Hospital in the Khon Kaen province of Thailand. Factors related to quality of life using the Thai 36-item Short Form (SF-36) rating scale were studied. Results: There were 237 stroke survivors in the study. The age range of participants was between 20 and 91 years of age (mean = 63.7 +/- 12.8, median = 65.0). For physical health summary scale, factor related with better scale were male gender (P<.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.3-21.9), aged under 50 (P<.001; 95% CI 6.3-21.9), educational level higher than bachelor degree (P<.001; 95% CI 8.1-22.3), and unemployed status (P<.001; 95% CI 6.4-19.8). For mental health summary scale, the education level (P<.001; 95% CI 7.3-20.1), employment status (P=.007; 95% CI 2.3-14.5), household income (P<.001), and disease severity (P<.001; 95% CI 15.5-27.7) had statistically significant difference. Overall, the age, level of education, employment status, monthly household income and the modified Rankin scale score related to the quality of life. Conclusions: The factors related to quality of life were age, educational level, occupation, monthly household income, and modified Rankin scale score.