Quality of life of patients with stroke rehabilitation

Objectives: To evaluate and correlate quality of life and depression of patients in rehabilitation after stoke. Methods: A transversal study conducted in two rehabilitation services with patients after stroke. Information collected included sociodemographic data, the Medical Outcome Study Short-form 36 - item Health Survey, the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale, the Barthel Index and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results: The sample consisted of 139 patients, with a mean age of 59.4 years; 59% were male. The general and specific quality of life scores were compromised. According to the Barthel Index, 49.6% of the patients presented moderate to severe dependency, and 49.7% had depressive symptoms according to the Beck Depression Index; there was no positive correlation between these data and general and specific quality of life. Conclusion: General and specific quality of life of patients in rehabilitation, after stroke, presented compromised domains.