Health-related quality of life among Danish patients 3 and 12 months after TIA or mild stroke

Aim: This paper aimed to describe health related quality of life three and 12 months after mild stroke or transient ischemic attack, TIA, to describe the perceived changes from pre to post stroke status and to examine sociodemographic determinants for health related quality of life. Methods: 105 patients with mild stroke or TIA delivered self reported data on health related quality of life using the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale Danish Version, SSQOL-DK. The main outcome was perceived change in over all quality of life from pre to post stroke status. Nonparametric tests were used to examine change over time and differences between groupings of gender, age and life conditions. Logistic regression was used to model the change of all over quality of life changed at 12 months compared to pre stroke status. Results: Fifty seven percent (57%) of the patients felt that their pre stroke status concerning quality of life was regained. Those that rated all over quality of life deteriorated 12 months post stroke were more often working (48.9% vs. 31.7%), fewer had a diagnosis of TIA (13.3% vs. 30%), functional level was lower and the consumption of antidepressive medication was more frequent. In the regression model male sex (OR 3.77), working outside home (OR 2.84) and less than 5.00 (maximum score) on the domains Mood and Work/productivity at three months were significant predictors for rating health related quality of life deteriorated after stroke. Conclusion: Rehabilitation efforts should include employment alternatives of a less demanding nature for male patients.