Functioning of Stroke Patients during Hospitalisation

Abstract

Introduction. Brain strokes remain a major cause of disability in adults, disrupting their daily functioning.

Aim. This study aimed to assess the functioning of stroke patients.

Material and Methods. The study involved sixty stroke patients hospitalised at the Department of Neurology of the Antoni Jurasz University Hospital No. 1 in Bydgoszcz. A diagnostic survey method was used, with the following research tools employed: a questionnaire survey containing demographic data, the Barthel Index, the Beck Depression Scale and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).

Results. According to the Barthel Index, more than half of the patients (53%) had a moderately severe condition, those with a severe condition accounted for 32% of the group, and 15% were those with a mild condition — independent patients. According to the Beck Depression Scale, most subjects (73%) had no symptoms of depression; mild depressive symptoms were noted in 17%. The mean NIHSS score was 3.13, with most people scoring between 0 and 4.

Conclusions. Stroke patients were dependent on the help of others or were completely impaired in terms of self-care and self-keeping; no significant emotional disturbance was demonstrated. Gender did not affect the patients’ dexterity, independence and neurological condition. The patients’ independence and neurological condition significantly deteriorated with age. Rural residents manifested greater self-care and self-keeping deficits and worse neurological conditions. Economically active patients showed the highest fitness; pensioners had the lowest fitness. A low level of education had a negative impact on the fitness of stroke patients. Married people functioned better than single patients. (JNNN 2024;13(2):54–61)