Exploration of some personal factors with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health core sets for stroke.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the influence of personal factors (i.e. age, gender, place of residence and time since onset of stroke) on self-perceived functioning and environmental factors, using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for Stroke (extended version) as a framework. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS A total of 243 community-dwelling persons (53% men) with prior stroke (6 months to 13 years) with a mean age of 68 years (age range 24-95 years). METHODS Regression analysis of 4 personal factors (age, gender, place of residence, and time since onset of stroke) was used to explore their influence on different components, domains and categories of functioning and environmental factors, evaluated with the extended version of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Stroke. RESULTS The personal factors had statistically significant predictive values for almost all the categories, domains and components of functioning and environmental factors examined in this study. These factors influence self-perceived functional outcome and environmental factors in terms of being barriers or facilitators in various ways. CONCLUSION Personal factors, such as age, gender, place of residence and time since onset of stroke, influence self-perceived functioning and environmental factors.