Analysis and Evaluation of Subjective Quality of Life in a Group of Patients after Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Introduction. Ischemic stroke, as a sudden onset of a syndrome is the first cause of a varying degree of disability that results in lower quality of life.
Aim. The aim of the study is to analyze the quality of life of people after ischemic stroke in terms of their performance in basic areas of life.
Material and Methods. Evaluation of the quality of life was carried out, studying a 50-person group of patients aged 42–91 years who had an ischemic stroke within a period longer than 6 months. Their subjective evaluation of the quality of life was aeesessed by our own survey and the SF-36 questionnaire in the Polish version. The collected data, including the biopsychosocial sphere of the respondents were used to analyze the quality of life in eight key areas and were used to determine the significance of the impact of socio-demographic factors on the assessment of the quality of life.
Results. Since both quality of life and its assessment are subject to constant change, and the current measurement is really only at time of the study, it has been shown however, that the quality of life in patients after stroke was significantly reduced. This is particularly evident in the area of physical functioning and felt in connection with the constraints resulting from physical health. Such a condition triggers consequences associated with the mental sphere, including the reduction of functioning. Moreover, there has been examined the impact of socio-demographic factors on the quality of life of patients after ischemic stroke and it has been found that they affect only as a set of dependencies. Although being in isolation they are not significantly dependent, however, for an individual they may not be indifferent, and when occurring in appropriate configurations they might affect one’s quality of life.
Conclusions. In order to improve the quality of life of patients after ischemic stroke, the accessibility of post-stroke education is recommended for the patients after stroke, and what is salso important for their families, which has a significantly positive impact on the quality of life of both parties. If however, society can be persuaded to changes in the functioning and will prefer a healthy lifestyle through active life and healthy diet, then it will probably be possible to reduce the number of stroke incidents which in an aging society is particularly desirable. (JNNN 2016;5(2):58–68)