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.