Predictors of functional outcome in Saudi Arabian patients with stroke after inpatient rehabilitation

PURPOSE: To identify the possible factors influencing functional outcome of stroke patients after inpatient rehabilitation. METHODS: One hundred and eighty patients with stroke consecutively admitted for inpatient stroke rehabilitation was studied. Demographic and stroke characteristics, impairment (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale), disability level (Functional Independence Measure [FIM]), psycho-emotional state (Geriatric Depression Scale-15 [GDS-15]), cognitive function (Mini Mental State Evaluation [MMSE]), and preexisting medical conditions were recorded at admission. The main measure of functional outcome was the discharge FIM score. The univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. RESULT: The Mean admission total FIM score was 64.8 +/- 22.4 and the mean discharge total FIM score was 84.0 +/- 23.0, with this gain being highly significant (P < 0.001). Univariate analyses indicated that the significant factors influencing functional outcome of stroke patients at discharge from rehabilitation included age, total FIM score at admission, severity of stroke, recurrent stroke, cognitive impairment, and depression. However, in multiple linear regression analyses, age was not significant predictor. CONCLUSION: Age predicts the function outcome to lesser extent than other covariate. The admission total FIM score, cognitive condition, depression, and stroke severity are predictors of functional outcome of stroke patients after inpatient rehabilitation.