Jh. Lin et al., Predicting long-term care institution utilization among post-rehabilitation stroke patients in Taiwan: a medical centre-based study, DISABIL REH, 23(16), 2001, pp. 722-730
Purpose: Early identification of predictive factors relevant to the utiliza
tion of long-term care institution for stroke patients is important and thu
s investigated in this study on stroke patients receiving rehabilitation th
erapy.
Methods: This prospective follow-up investigation carried out during patien
ts' clinical visits, at homes or long-term care institutions, was conducted
at least 6 months after stroke on 151 stroke survivors. Functional ability
was evaluated with the functional independence measure (FIM TM) instrument
at discharge of the inpatient rehabilitation programme. Balance status was
measured using the seven item balance scale of the Fugl-Meyer sensorimotor
assessment (FMSA). Major medical, rehabilitative and sociodemographic fact
ors were also examined during hospitalization period as independent variabl
es.
Results: Of all the patients surveyed, 23 (15.2%) had been living in long-t
erm care institutions. Univariate statistical analysis indicated that the s
ignificant factors related to longterm care institution utilization include
d recurrence of attack, bilateral involvement, impaired orientation, and fu
nctional and balance status at discharge.
Conclusions: Basing on the significant predictors identified, analysis usin
g the logistic regression model correctly classified three quarters of the
subjects as long-term care institution residents. The strongest predictors
of long-term care institution utilization for stroke patients following reh
abilitation therapy were: bilaterally affected, impaired orientation and po
or standing ability at discharge.