Predictors of functional disability in people with ischemic stroke: two to three years after the stroke.
Brenda Silva Cunha, Mariana de Almeida Moraes, Liane de Assis Campos Medeiros and 4 others
PMID 40971711WHAT IT FOUND
Two to three years after ischemic stroke, 37.4% of 155 survivors had moderate to severe disability.
High initial neurological deficit, no thrombolysis, and new stroke were the main factors associated.
Key findings
01Between two and three years after stroke, 37.4% of 155 survivors had moderate to severe disability.
02In the final model, NIHSS scores of 6 to 13 and 14 or higher were associated with 2.35 and 4.40 times more moderate to severe disability than scores of 0 to 5.
03Not receiving thrombolysis and a new stroke between two and three years were associated with 3.02 and 3.82 times more moderate to severe disability, respectively.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study followed only survivors who could be recontacted, and many participants died or were lost, so the results may not represent all people with ischemic stroke. Outcome was collected by telephone, sometimes from companions, which can introduce information bias. People with severe deficits or cognitive problems without a companion were excluded at baseline, limiting generalizability to the most impaired patients. This was an observational cohort, so associations with thrombolysis, recurrence, and initial deficit do not prove cause and cannot separate other treatments or care received. The study was done in one public hospital in Brazil, so access to thrombolysis and rehabilitation may differ elsewhere.
Declared interests
Funded by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq, Brazil. The paper does not state author conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these associations as proof that thrombolysis or stroke recurrence prevention improves disability. The study was observational, and people who received thrombolysis may have differed in stroke severity, timing, and other treatments.