A cross-sectional study of quality of life in incident stroke survivors in rural northern Tanzania |
| |
| Authors: | Suzanne C Howitt Matthew P Jones Ahmed Jusabani William K Gray Eric Aris Ferdinand Mugusi Mark Swai Richard W Walker |
| |
| Institution: | (1) South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, South Tyneside District Hospital, Harton Lane, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE34 0PL, UK;(2) Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead, NE9 6SX, UK;(3) Department of Radiology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania;(4) Department of Medicine, North Tyneside General Hospital, Rake Lane, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 8NH, UK;(5) Department of Medicine, Muhimbili University College Hospital, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania;(6) Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania; |
| |
| Abstract: | The aim of this study was to evaluate changes to, and predictors of, quality of life (QOL) in a community-based cohort of
stroke survivors from an earlier stroke incidence study in rural northern Tanzania. Patients were assessed 1–5 years after
their incident stroke. The study cohort was compared with an age- and sex-matched control group from the same rural district
within a cross-sectional design. Patients and controls were asked a series of questions relating to their QOL World Health
Organization quality of life, abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF)], levels of anxiety and depression hospital anxiety and depression
(HAD) scale], cognitive function community screening instrument for dementia (CSI-D) screening tool], socioeconomic status
and demographic characteristics (e.g. age, sex, education and abode). Patients were further assessed for functional outcome
and disability (Barthel index, modified Rankin scale), post-stroke care and psychosocial functioning. Patients (n = 58) were found to have significantly lower QOL than controls (n = 58) in all six domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. Gender, socioeconomic status, cognitive function and time elapsed since stroke
were not associated with QOL. Older patients and those with more impaired motor function and disability (Barthel index, modified
Rankin score) had significantly poorer physical health-related QOL. Greater anxiety and depression, reduced muscle power and
less involvement in social events were significantly correlated with lower physical and psychological health-related QOL.
To our knowledge, this is the first long-term study of QOL in survivors of incident stroke in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Poorer
QOL was associated with greater levels of physical disability, anxiety and depression and reduced social interaction. Demographic
factors appear to be much less significant. Modifying these QOL predictors could be important in planning effective post-stroke
care within a stretched healthcare system. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 PubMed SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
