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Vision problems in ischaemic stroke patients: effects on life quality and disability
Author(s) -
Sand K. M.,
Wilhelmsen G.,
Næss H.,
Midelfart A.,
Thomassen L.,
Hoff J. M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/ene.12848
Subject(s) - medicine , hospital anxiety and depression scale , barthel index , modified rankin scale , stroke (engine) , quality of life (healthcare) , neurology , depression (economics) , physical therapy , anxiety , ischemic stroke , activities of daily living , psychiatry , ischemia , mechanical engineering , nursing , engineering , economics , macroeconomics
Background and purpose Vision problems after cerebral infarction are an increasingly acknowledged problem. Our aim was to investigate the effect on quality of life and post‐stroke disability. Methods Patients admitted to the Stroke Unit, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, between February 2006 and July 2008 with acute cerebral infarction were prospectively registered in the NORSTROKE Registry. Patients received a postal questionnaire at least 6 months after stroke. The questionnaire included 15D©, EuroQol 5D ( EQ ‐5D ™ ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS ), the Fatigue Severity Scale ( FSS ) and the Barthel Index ( BI ). Results Of 328 responders, 83 (25.4%) reported a vision problem. Vision problems were associated with older age (71.8 years vs. 66.5 years, P = 0.001), higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission (5.9 vs. 3.8, P < 0.001), higher modified Rankin Scale day 7 (2.0 vs. 1.4, P < 0.001) and lower BI day 7 (85.7 vs. 93.9, P = 0.002). Patients with vision problems had lower median EQ ‐5D utility score (0.62 vs. 0.80, P < 0.001), lower median 15D utility score (0.73 vs. 0.89, P < 0.001), higher median HADS score (12 vs. 5, P < 0.001), higher median FSS score (5.6 vs. 4.3, P < 0.001) and lower median BI (95 vs. 100, P < 0.001) on long‐term follow‐up. Patients with self‐reported vision problems scored lower on all sub‐scores of BI on follow‐up (all P < 0.001). Conclusion One in four patients reported a vision problem on follow‐up after cerebral infarction. Vision problems after cerebral infarction reduce quality of life and are associated with increased disability. Thorough diagnostic evaluation and targeted rehabilitation is important.