• BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Readmissions after acute stroke vary over time and with age and comorbidity. Knowledge of the reasons for readmissions and characteristics of readmitted patients is sparse. This 1-year prospective study examined whether readmissions were related to severity of the index stroke or to comorbidity and explored outcomes in readmitted patients with respect to daily life activities and health-related quality of life. METHODS: The study included 216 elderly patients (aged >/=70 years) discharged to their homes or a nursing home after index stroke. The main outcomes were readmission rates and reported diagnoses, performance of daily life activities and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Nearly half (45%) of the patients were readmitted to the hospital after being discharged to their homes. One readmission was most common, and stroke-related diagnoses were most frequently reported as the reason for readmission. Different forms of heart disease were the next most common reason. The readmitted patients were significantly more dependent in daily life activities, and health-related quality of life was significantly lower among this group. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent stroke and sequelae after stroke were major factors behind readmissions, followed by heart disease in elderly stroke patients. The readmitted patients were more dependent in daily life activities and reported a lower health-related quality of life compared with not readmitted patients.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Activities of Daily Living

Aged

Cerebrovascular Accident

physiopathology

Health Status

Humans

Nursing Homes

Patient Readmission

Quality of Life

Severity of Illness Index

Time Factors

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)