Factors Affecting Hospital Length of Stay Among Patients With Acute Stroke

Background: The cost of hospitalization for stroke accounts for a large proportion of the total cost of stroke in the first 12 months. Factors that affect hospital length of stay (LOS) among patients with acute stroke should be understood in order to develop appropriate rehabilitation targets and plan discharge times. The aim of this study was to determine factors that influenced LOS among patients with acute stroke. Methods: The records of 1507 patients' who were hospitalized due to acute stroke between September 2011 and September 2013 were investigated retrospectively; 909 patients were eligible for the study. Age, sex, stroke types (ischemic or hemorrhagic), muscle strength of upper and lower extremities, number of co-morbidities, presence of infection, physiotherapy information, history of smoking, and LOS were recorded. Results: The mean length of stay was 7 days (interquartile range: 5-13 days). Patients with hemorrhagic infarct, aphasia, infection, atrial fibrillation, and history of smoking had significantly longer LOS. LOS was also longer when patients received physiotherapy. The presence of infection and functional disability level (assessed using the modified Rankin Scale) emerged as significant predictors for LOS. Conclusions: Functional disability level and presence of infection may be used to predict the LOS in patients with stroke. In the acute term, realization of infection and detailed assessment of functional disability are fundamental issues.