Are there gender differences in longitudinal patterns of functioning in Nigerian stroke survivors during the first year after stroke?

BACKGROUND: Several studies have examined gender differences in various stroke outcomes. There is however little information on the influence of gender on post-stroke functioning in the context of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). OBJECTIVE: Gender differences in selected components of functioning, namely motor performance (body function), activity and participation, were examined in a sample of Nigerian stroke survivors. METHODS: This longitudinal study involved consenting first-incidence stroke survivors who were consecutively recruited from in-patient wards of a University teaching hospital in northern Nigeria. Demographic and clinical data were obtained at recruitment while motor performance, activity and participation were assessed at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months using the Simplified Fugl Meyer scale, the Functional Independence Measure Motor Sub-scale and the London Handicap Scale respectively. RESULTS: Participants were thirty-three male (60%) and 22 female (40%) stroke survivors who did not significantly differ in age, stroke sub-type, laterality and initial severity (P > 0.05). There were also no significant differences in motor performance, activity and participation between the male and female stroke survivors across the time points. CONCLUSION: Gender differences were not observed in the components of functioning over the first 12 months post-stroke.