Stroke patients in South Madrid - Function and motor recovery, resource utilization, and family support

Background and Purpose-The purpose of the present study was to describe the epidemiology of stroke disability and the use of health resources in South Madrid, Methods-Among a population of 665 168 residents in South Madrid. patients w ith an acute stroke of clinical onset during March to July 1996 who were se en at a general hospital or at 1 of 3 primary care centers were evaluated a t baseline (n=147) and at 3 months (n=110) and 6 months (n=112) after strok e. We assessed the frequencies of stroke and stroke-related residual disabi lity per population unit, as well as the impairment, disability, secondary complications, use of health resources, and impact on quality of life. Results-In patients greater than or equal to 60 years old, the incidence of stroke with severe residual disability after 6 months was 75 per 10 000, w as higher in men, and increased with age; the proportion of survivors among those examined at baseline was 20%. The use of hospital days per populatio n unit was similar to that of reported European data, but the use of other health care resources was less. Patients frequently used bladder and nasal catheters and presented with shoulder pain. Social activities were infreque nt and decreased after stroke. Access to technical aids was limited, and ho me adaptations were exceptional. The impact of stroke on health-related qua lity of life among patients and main caregivers was modest, Conclusions-The study shows that in South Madrid, (1) the use of health res ources after stroke is low; (2) patients with stroke register low activitie s of daily living scores with a comparatively small impact on quality of li fe, and (3) relative to need, the use of rehabilitation, aids, and home ada ptations and services was low.