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Specific health-related quality of life in Cerebrovascular accident survivors: associated factors

Calidad de vida relacionada a la salud específica de supervivientes de accidente cerebrovascular: factores relacionados

ABSTRACT

Objectives:

to identify factors associated with specific health-related quality of life in cerebrovascular accident, or stroke, survivors.

Methods:

cross-sectional study, carried out with 160 cerebrovascular accident survivors. Data were collected using the Barthel Index, Cerebrovascular Accident Specific Quality of Life Scale, and semi-structured instruments for sociodemographic and clinical data, analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results:

health-related quality of life was associated with work activity (p=0.027), physical activity (p=0.007), functional capacity (p=0.001), presence of caregiver (<0.001), motor alteration (p = 0.001) and rehabilitation (p=0.003). The functionally dependent people were 14.61 times more likely to present low health-related quality of life, and those with motor impairment were 3.07 times more likely.

Conclusions:

it was evidenced that functional dependence and motor impairment increase the chance of low health-related quality of life in cerebrovascular accident survivors.

Descriptors:
Nursing; Cerebrovascular Accident; Quality of Life; Daily Activities; Survivors

RESUMEN

Objetivos:

identificar factores relacionados a calidad de vida relacionada a salud específica de supervivientes de accidente cerebrovascular.

Métodos:

estudio transversal, realizado con 160 supervivientes de accidente cerebrovascular. Los datos fueron recolectados mediante el Índice de Barthel, Escala de Calidad de Vida Específica para Accidente Cerebrovascular e instrumento semiestructurado para los datos sociodemográficos y clínicos, analizados por estadística descriptiva e inferencial.

Resultados:

la calidad de vida relacionada a salud se relacionó a la actividad laboral (p=0,027), actividad física (p=0,007), capacidad funcional (p=0,001), presencia de cuidador (<0,001), alteración motora (p = 0,001) y rehabilitación (p=0,003). Las personas funcionalmente dependientes demostraron 14,61 veces más chance de presentar baja calidad de vida relacionada a salud; y aquellas con alteración motora demostraron 3,07 veces más chance.

Conclusiones:

se evidenció que la dependencia funcional y la alteración motora elevan la chance de una baja calidad de vida relacionada a la salud en supervivientes de accidente cerebrovascular.

Descriptores:
Enfermería; Accidente Cerebrovascular; Calidad de Vida; Actividades Cotidianas; Sobrevivientes

RESUMO

Objetivos:

identificar os fatores associados à qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde específica de sobreviventes de acidente vascular encefálico.

Métodos:

estudo transversal, realizado com 160 sobreviventes de acidente vascular encefálico. Os dados foram coletados por meio do Índice de Barthel, Escala de Qualidade de Vida Específica para Acidente Vascular Encefálico e instrumento semiestruturado para os dados sociodemográficos e clínicos, analisados por estatística descritiva e inferencial.

Resultados:

a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde associou-se à atividade laboral (p=0,027), atividade física (p=0,007), capacidade funcional (p=0,001), presença de cuidador (<0,001), alteração motora (p = 0,001) e reabilitação (p=0,003). As pessoas funcionalmente dependentes demonstraram 14,61 vezes mais chance de apresentar baixa qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde; e aquelas com alteração motora demonstraram 3,07 vezes mais chance.

Conclusões:

evidenciou-se que a dependência funcional e a alteração motora elevam a chance de uma baixa qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em sobreviventes de acidente vascular encefálico.

Descritores:
Enfermagem; Acidente Vascular Cerebral; Qualidade de Vida; Atividades Cotidianas; Sobreviventes

INTRODUCTION

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or stroke, is a relevant health problem in the world and stands out for its high incidence and high costs with hospitalization and rehabilitation, especially in developing countries(11 Santana NM, Figueiredo FWS, Lucena DMM, Soares FM, Adami F, Cardoso LCP, et al. The burden of stroke in Brazil in 2016: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease study findings. BMC Res Notes. 2018;11(735):1-5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3842-3
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3842-...
). Brazil, from January 2020 to January 2021 registered 184,536 hospitalizations due to stroke of which 49,469 were in the Northeast Region(22 Ministério da Saúde (BR). Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde. Datasus. Morbidade hospitalar do SUS [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2021 Dec 15]. Available from: http://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/tabcgi.exe?sih/cnv/niuf.def
http://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/tabcgi....
).

As a result of the advances in medicine and the innovation of emergency care strategies in Brazil(33 Reverté-Villarroya S, Dávalos A, Font-Mayolas S, Berenguer-Poblet M, Sauras-Colón E, López-Pablo C, et al. Coping strategies, quality of life, and neurological outcome in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy after an acute ischemic stroke. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(17):1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176014
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176014...
), epidemiological data demonstrate a decrease in the mortality rate due to this illness(11 Santana NM, Figueiredo FWS, Lucena DMM, Soares FM, Adami F, Cardoso LCP, et al. The burden of stroke in Brazil in 2016: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease study findings. BMC Res Notes. 2018;11(735):1-5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3842-3
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3842-...
). However, stroke survivors are often affected by physical, neurocognitive, psychosocial, and behavioral sequelae(44 Wang X, Shang S, Yang H, Ai H, Wang Y, Chang S, et al. Associations of psychological distress with positive psychological variables and activities of daily living among stroke patients: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry. 2019;19(381). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2368-0
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2368-...
) that require long-term rehabilitation(55 Larsen LP, Johnsen SP, Andersen G, Hjollund NH. Determinants of health status after stroke: a cohort study with repeated measurements. Clin Epidemiol. 2020;12:1269–79. https://doi.org/10.2147/CLEP.S270249
https://doi.org/10.2147/CLEP.S270249...
,66 Ramos-Lima MJM, Brasileiro IC, Lima TL, Braga-Neto P. Quality of life after stroke: impact of clinical and sociodemographic factors. Clinics. 2018;73(e418). https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e418
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e41...
).

The stroke sequelae can cause multiple losses, often compromising the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)(77 Faria ACA, Martins MMFPS, Schoeller SD, Matos LO. Care path of person with stroke: from onset to rehabilitation. Rev Bras Enferm. 2017;70(3):495-503. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0579
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0...
). This is related to the influence of a health condition or care intervention on the subjective experience of individuals in functional, cognitive, social, and psychological aspects, evidencing itself as an essential index of results after a stroke(88 Pedersen SG, Friborg O, Heiberg GA, Arntzen C, Stabel HH, Thrane G, et al. Stroke-Specific Quality of Life one-year post-stroke in two Scandinavian country-regions with different organisation of rehabilitation services: a prospective study. Disabil Rehabil. 2020;1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1753830
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.17...
).

Usually, HRQoL instruments(33 Reverté-Villarroya S, Dávalos A, Font-Mayolas S, Berenguer-Poblet M, Sauras-Colón E, López-Pablo C, et al. Coping strategies, quality of life, and neurological outcome in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy after an acute ischemic stroke. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(17):1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176014
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176014...
,66 Ramos-Lima MJM, Brasileiro IC, Lima TL, Braga-Neto P. Quality of life after stroke: impact of clinical and sociodemographic factors. Clinics. 2018;73(e418). https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e418
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e41...
,88 Pedersen SG, Friborg O, Heiberg GA, Arntzen C, Stabel HH, Thrane G, et al. Stroke-Specific Quality of Life one-year post-stroke in two Scandinavian country-regions with different organisation of rehabilitation services: a prospective study. Disabil Rehabil. 2020;1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1753830
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.17...
) investigate the impact of stroke. In Latin America, most studies use generic scales, but the scientific production recommends applying specific, validated instruments with adequate psychometric properties to measure the construct of HRQoL in this population(66 Ramos-Lima MJM, Brasileiro IC, Lima TL, Braga-Neto P. Quality of life after stroke: impact of clinical and sociodemographic factors. Clinics. 2018;73(e418). https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e418
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e41...
,88 Pedersen SG, Friborg O, Heiberg GA, Arntzen C, Stabel HH, Thrane G, et al. Stroke-Specific Quality of Life one-year post-stroke in two Scandinavian country-regions with different organisation of rehabilitation services: a prospective study. Disabil Rehabil. 2020;1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1753830
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.17...
). That is because they are more sensitive to the peculiar multidimensional effects of a stroke, presenting more reliability in the survivor’s perception of the stroke and providing important information for the rehabilitation process(88 Pedersen SG, Friborg O, Heiberg GA, Arntzen C, Stabel HH, Thrane G, et al. Stroke-Specific Quality of Life one-year post-stroke in two Scandinavian country-regions with different organisation of rehabilitation services: a prospective study. Disabil Rehabil. 2020;1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1753830
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.17...
).

Given the above and the scarcity of studies that evaluate the HRQoL specific to stroke and its predictors, the relevance of research on this topic is evident, as it provides crucial inputs for health care planning. In this scenario, the role of the nursing team should be directed to the patient’s rehabilitation through an individualized care plan, containing viable and effective interventions that allow the early identification of deficits and the reduction of the impact of sequelae, in order to contribute to the improvement of HRQoL after a stroke(99 Rancic NK, Mandic MN, Kocic BN, Veljkovic DR, Kocic ID, Otasevic SA. Health-related quality of life in stroke survivors in relation to the type of inpatient rehabilitation in serbia: a prospective cohort study. Medicina. 2020;56(12):1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina56120666
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina56120666...
,1010 Lima RJ, Pimenta CJL, Frazão MCLO, Ferreira GRS, Costa TR, Viana LRC, et al. Functional capacity and social support to people affected by cerebrovascular accident. Rev Bras Enferm. 2019;72(4):868-73. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0854
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
,1111 Pui KC, Mohd NNA, Abdul AAF. The effectiveness of home-based therapy on functional outcome, self-efficacy and anxiety among discharged stroke survivors. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(47):e23296. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023296.
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023...
).

OBJECTIVES

To identify the factors associated with specific health-related quality of life in cerebrovascular accident survivors.

METHODS

Ethical aspects

This study followed Resolution 466/2012 of the National Health Council and was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. In addition, the participants signed the Free and Informed Consent Form.

Design, period, and place of study

This research is a cross-sectional study, quantitative, based on guided by the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) tool, having been carried out in the Family Health Units (FHU) of the municipality of João Pessoa, state of Paraíba (PB), Brazil, between the months of July and November 2018.

Population or sample: criteria of inclusion and exclusion

The study population comprised survivors with stroke registered at the FHU in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. For the sample calculation, the total number of hospitalizations due to stroke in the semester prior to data collection was distributed as a basis, in the hospital of the Unified Health System (SUS) of the municipality in question, which was equivalent to 231 admissions(1212 Ministério da Saúde (BR). Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (Datasus). Morbidade hospitalar do SUS [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2018 Jun 30]. Available from: http://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/tabcgi.exe?sih/cnv/niuf.def
http://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/tabcgi....
).

The sample size was defined using the calculation for a finite population with known proportions, based on a confidence interval of 95% (a = 0.05), 50% (p = 0.50) of estimated prevalence and 5% (Error = 0.05) margin of error, equivalent to a sample with at least146 participants. It was also added 10% for possible losses or refusals, totaling 160 individuals.

The definition criteria have been defined: people accompanied at the FHU, have suffered the stroke for at least three months or more, who had at least one sequel resulting from the AVE, and age 18 years or older. The following exclusion criteria were defined: neurological comorbidity, aphasia, significant hearing deficit - on the verge of making it difficult to understand the instruments - and cognitive commitments tracked by the MiniMental State Examination (MMSE)(1313 Bertolucci PHF, Brucki SMD, Campacci SR, Juliano Y. Mini Exame do Estado Mental em uma população ambulatorial: influência do letramento. Arq Neuro-Psiquiatr. 1994;52(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X1994000100001
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X199400...
).

Study protocol

The choice of participants took place through a draw, which caught 8 FHU from each of the five Health Districts of the city, understanding 40 randomly selected FHU. For capture the participants, the held a draw four participants by FHU were based on a list of all people with stroke sequelae, provided by nurses of the selected FHU. Later, the community health agent (CHA) contacted the selected individuals to invite them to participate in the study and schedule a time to answer the instruments.

Was used, a semi-structured instrument to investigate the socio-demographic and clinical data of the study participants. The Barthel Index was applied to assess the individual level of disability. This instrument consists of ten items, each answer presents a specific score, with a total value from 0 to 100 points(1414 Minosso JSM, Amendola F, Alvarenga MRM, Oliveira MAC. Validation of the Barthel Index in elderly patients attended in outpatient clinics, in Brazil. Acta Paul Enferm. 2010; 23(2):218-23. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-21002010000200011
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-2100201000...
). The present study considered the following classification: independent (100 points) and dependent (< 100 points).

The CVA-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SQoL-CVA) was applied to assess the specific HRQoL after stroke. Questionnaire composed by 49 items distributed in 12 domains: Self-care, Work/productivity, Language, Vision, Mobility, Energy, Family role, Mood, Reasoning, Social role, Upper limb function and Personality. The quantification of responses is through a type Likert scale from 1 to 5 points, with value from 49 to 245(1515 Lima RCM, Teixeira-Salmela LF, Magalhães LC, Gomes-Neto M. Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale: application of the Rasch Model. Rev Bras Fisioter. 2008;12(2):149-56. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-35552008000200012
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-3555200800...
). For HRQoL classification, low HRQoL presented scores below 60%, which corresponds to 147 points(1616 Canuto MAO, Nogueira LT, Araújo TME. Health-related quality of life after stroke. Acta Paul Enferm. 2016;29(3):245-52. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0194201600035
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-01942016000...
).

Analysis of results and statistics

The study’s dependent variable was defined as HRQoL, while the independent variables were functional capacity and stroke survivors’ sociodemographic and clinical variables.

The data were double entered into the Microsoft Excel program. Later, they were transferred into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences® (versão 22.0) software, and analyzed using descriptive statistics (absolute and relative frequency, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact test when the cells had number equal to or less than 5; and multiple logistic regression). In all analyses, a p-value < 0.05 was established to define statistical significance.

A multivariate analysis was also performed to assess the chances of occurrence of the outcome “poor HRQoL”. To this end, we applied the logistic regression model adjusted by the backward method, with a confidence interval of 95%. To insert the independent variables in the modeling, a p-value < 0.02 was adopted as a criterion in the bivariate analyses.

RESULTS

We identified low HRQoL after stroke among the study participants (146.55; ±39.05), and Cronbach’s alpha was 0.91. There was a prevalence of low HRQoL (51.2%). The most affected HRQoL domains after stroke were Social role (2.10; ±0.74) and Family role (2.26; ±1.09).

Table 1 describes the association between HRQoL and the sociodemographic variables. It was observed that there was a statistical association between HRQoL and Labor activity (p = 0.027).

Table 1
Association between sociodemographic variables and health-related quality of life of people with stroke sequelae, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, 2018, (N = 160)

In the association between HRQoL with life habits and health status, a statistical association was identified with Physical activity (p = 0.007), Functional capacity (p = 0.001), and Caregiver presence (< 0.001) (Table 2).

Table 2
Relationship between health-related quality of life, life habits and health status of people with stroke sequelae, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, 2018, (N = 160)

Table 3 shows the data on the association between HRQoL and stroke characteristics. There was a statistical association of HRQoL with Motor alteration (p = 0.001) and Rehabilitation after hospital discharge (p = 0,003).

Table 3
Relationship between health-related quality of life and stroke characteristics, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, 2018, (N = 160)

Table 4 shows the multiple logistic regression model for low HRQoL. It was included in the model only the variables that showed p < 0.02 in the bivariate analyses (Physical activity, Functional capacity, Caregiver presence, Motor impairment, and Did/ does rehabilitation after hospital discharge). The variables that remained in the adjusted model were Functional capacity (OR= 14.162; 95% CI= 3.150 - 63.672) and Sequelae - Motor alteration (OR = 3.079; 95% CI = 1.452-6.528).

Table 4
Variables associated with low Health-Related Quality of Life by means of adjusted logistic regression, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, 2018, (N = 160)

DISCUSSION

The HRQoL is a significant and relevant multidimensional health assessment for the community and health systems(88 Pedersen SG, Friborg O, Heiberg GA, Arntzen C, Stabel HH, Thrane G, et al. Stroke-Specific Quality of Life one-year post-stroke in two Scandinavian country-regions with different organisation of rehabilitation services: a prospective study. Disabil Rehabil. 2020;1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1753830
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.17...
). Chronic illnesses such as stroke require long-term supervision(1717 Chen Q, Cao C, Gong L, Zhang Y. Health related quality of life in stroke patients and risk factors associated with patients for return to work. Medicine. 2019;98(16). https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000015130
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000015...
), including HRQoL monitoring through the use of a specific instrument(88 Pedersen SG, Friborg O, Heiberg GA, Arntzen C, Stabel HH, Thrane G, et al. Stroke-Specific Quality of Life one-year post-stroke in two Scandinavian country-regions with different organisation of rehabilitation services: a prospective study. Disabil Rehabil. 2020;1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1753830
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.17...
). That is a valuable tool for nursing, as it helps to understand the individual’s perception of their health and rehabilitation process(66 Ramos-Lima MJM, Brasileiro IC, Lima TL, Braga-Neto P. Quality of life after stroke: impact of clinical and sociodemographic factors. Clinics. 2018;73(e418). https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e418
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e41...
,88 Pedersen SG, Friborg O, Heiberg GA, Arntzen C, Stabel HH, Thrane G, et al. Stroke-Specific Quality of Life one-year post-stroke in two Scandinavian country-regions with different organisation of rehabilitation services: a prospective study. Disabil Rehabil. 2020;1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1753830
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.17...
).

In the present study, we identified low HRQoL specific to stroke. A systematic review with meta-analysis showed that most studies demonstrate equivalent results despite the progression in stroke treatment(1818 Bello UM, Chutiyami M, Salihu D, Abdu SI, Tafida BA, Jabbo AA, et al. Quality of life of stroke survivors in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Qual Life Res. 2021;30:1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02591-6
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02591...
). Stroke may cause of reduced disability-related life years, and its sequelae cause physical and psychosocial repercussions that often deteriorate HRQoL(66 Ramos-Lima MJM, Brasileiro IC, Lima TL, Braga-Neto P. Quality of life after stroke: impact of clinical and sociodemographic factors. Clinics. 2018;73(e418). https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e418
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e41...
,1818 Bello UM, Chutiyami M, Salihu D, Abdu SI, Tafida BA, Jabbo AA, et al. Quality of life of stroke survivors in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Qual Life Res. 2021;30:1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02591-6
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02591...
). The compromised individual perception of HRQoL can interfere in therapeutic adherence, which increases the risk of disease recurrence(1717 Chen Q, Cao C, Gong L, Zhang Y. Health related quality of life in stroke patients and risk factors associated with patients for return to work. Medicine. 2019;98(16). https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000015130
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000015...
).

In evaluating the HRQoL domains after the stroke, Social and Family roles were most compromised, corroborating national and international studies(66 Ramos-Lima MJM, Brasileiro IC, Lima TL, Braga-Neto P. Quality of life after stroke: impact of clinical and sociodemographic factors. Clinics. 2018;73(e418). https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e418
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e41...
,1919 Chou CY. Determinants of the health-related quality of life for stroke survivors. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2015;24(3):655-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2014.10.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebro...
). The domain Social role concerns leisure, socializing with friends, sexual relationships, and physical condition interference in the social life. The Family Role domain concerns issues related to having fun with the family, feeling of being a burden to family members, and the influence of physical condition on personal life(1515 Lima RCM, Teixeira-Salmela LF, Magalhães LC, Gomes-Neto M. Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale: application of the Rasch Model. Rev Bras Fisioter. 2008;12(2):149-56. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-35552008000200012
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-3555200800...
).

The low HRQoL in those domains is justified by the predominance of older people in the sample and high functional impairment. After a stroke, older adults tend to become isolated because they are more vulnerable to chronic health situations, such as impaired physical integrity, cognitive deficits, depression, and anxiety disorders, which increases the chance of reducing social and family life(2020 Das J, Rajanikant GK. Post stroke depression: The sequelae of cerebral stroke. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 2018; 90:104-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.04.005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018...
). Furthermore, the limitations resulting from the stroke usually hinder the person’s return to their social activities(2121 Han DS, Chuang PW, Chiu EC. Effect of home-based reablement program on improving activities of daily living for patients with stroke: A pilot study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(49):1-6. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023512
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023...
).

This study evidenced the association between low HRQoL and the absence of labor occupation. Among the consequences of the stroke is the reduced ability to return to work(1717 Chen Q, Cao C, Gong L, Zhang Y. Health related quality of life in stroke patients and risk factors associated with patients for return to work. Medicine. 2019;98(16). https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000015130
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000015...
). Previous studies have identified that people who did not return to labor were more prone to mood disorders and to experience limitations in family and community interaction, as well as financial problems and dissatisfaction with life, with a consequent decline in HRQoL(1717 Chen Q, Cao C, Gong L, Zhang Y. Health related quality of life in stroke patients and risk factors associated with patients for return to work. Medicine. 2019;98(16). https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000015130
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000015...
,2222 Westerlind E, Hörsell D, Persson HC. Different predictors after stroke depending on functional dependency at discharge: a 5-year follow up study. BMC Neurol. 2020;20(263):1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-020-01840-y
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-020-01840...
).

Among the lifestyle variables, a statistical relationship was observed between low HRQoL and sedentariness. In stroke, the sequelae can lead to physical inactivity; however, it is recommended that people in this context participate in continuous physical exercise programs, for the routine of healthy practices can prevent the occurrence of a new stroke, favor reintegration into the community, and help maintain functional independence(2323 Shankari G, Ng SC, Goh SY, Woon FP, Doshi K, Wong PS, et al. Modifiable factors associated with non-adherence to secondary ischaemic stroke prevention strategies. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2020;29(12). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105395
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebro...
).

A relationship between low HRQoL and functional dependence was identified. The logistic regression data infer that functionally dependent people are 14.61 times more likely to present a low HRQoL. The literature points out that functional capacity is one of the main determinants of HRQoL after stroke since it influences the physical and mental dimensions that sustain autonomy and independence(66 Ramos-Lima MJM, Brasileiro IC, Lima TL, Braga-Neto P. Quality of life after stroke: impact of clinical and sociodemographic factors. Clinics. 2018;73(e418). https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e418
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017/e41...
,1616 Canuto MAO, Nogueira LT, Araújo TME. Health-related quality of life after stroke. Acta Paul Enferm. 2016;29(3):245-52. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0194201600035
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-01942016000...
,2121 Han DS, Chuang PW, Chiu EC. Effect of home-based reablement program on improving activities of daily living for patients with stroke: A pilot study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(49):1-6. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023512
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023...
).

The functional disability after stroke occurs due to sequelae, which can be sensory, motor and/or cognitive(1010 Lima RJ, Pimenta CJL, Frazão MCLO, Ferreira GRS, Costa TR, Viana LRC, et al. Functional capacity and social support to people affected by cerebrovascular accident. Rev Bras Enferm. 2019;72(4):868-73. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0854
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
). These damages interfere with self-care, social interaction, the development of the family role, and labor(77 Faria ACA, Martins MMFPS, Schoeller SD, Matos LO. Care path of person with stroke: from onset to rehabilitation. Rev Bras Enferm. 2017;70(3):495-503. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0579
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0...
), resulting in losses in the execution of previously performed activities. In addition, such sequelae predispose to illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and stress, which increase the risk for a low HRQoL(2424 Kei CP, Nordin NAM, Aziz AFA. The effectiveness of home-based therapy on functional outcome, self-efficacy and anxiety among discharged stroke survivors. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(47):e23296. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023296.
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023...
).

In this sense, the periodic assessment of functional capacity becomes essential because it helps nurses and other professionals identify each patient’s functional profile, which the planning of individual and systemic actions with strategies for making effective clinical decisions (1111 Pui KC, Mohd NNA, Abdul AAF. The effectiveness of home-based therapy on functional outcome, self-efficacy and anxiety among discharged stroke survivors. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(47):e23296. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023296.
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023...
,2020 Das J, Rajanikant GK. Post stroke depression: The sequelae of cerebral stroke. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 2018; 90:104-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.04.005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018...
-2121 Han DS, Chuang PW, Chiu EC. Effect of home-based reablement program on improving activities of daily living for patients with stroke: A pilot study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(49):1-6. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023512
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023...
).

The need for a caregiver was associated with lower mean HRQOL. The frequent functional limitation justifies the need for assistance from others among stroke survivors(2424 Kei CP, Nordin NAM, Aziz AFA. The effectiveness of home-based therapy on functional outcome, self-efficacy and anxiety among discharged stroke survivors. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(47):e23296. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023296.
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023...
). Moreover, the overprotective behavior common among caregivers may limit autonomy and self-care, causing a feeling of helplessness and frustration in front of the daily limitations, negatively affecting HRQoL(2525 Xu T, O’Loughlin K, Clemson L, Lannin NA, Dean C, Koh GE. Developing a falls prevention program for community-dwelling stroke survivors in Singapore: client and caregiver perspectives. Disabil Rehabil. 2019;41(9):1044-54. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2017.1419293
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2017.14...
).

Motor impairment had a negative impact on the participants’ HRQoL. People with motor impairment were 3.07 times more likely to have a low HRQoL. This sequela compromises mobility, generating restrictions in social participation, emotional impacts due to the feeling of loss, decreased self-esteem, and changes in routine, which justifies the statistical association with low levels of HRQoL(2626 Caro CC, Costa JD, Cruz DMC. The use of mobility assistive devices and the functional independence in stroke patients. Cad Bras Ter. 2018;26(3):558-68. https://doi.org/10.4322/2526-8910.ctoao1117
https://doi.org/10.4322/2526-8910.ctoao1...
). Thus, the use of strategies to benefit motor function and mobility is a helpful mechanism that positively contributes to the well-being of people after a stroke(2121 Han DS, Chuang PW, Chiu EC. Effect of home-based reablement program on improving activities of daily living for patients with stroke: A pilot study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(49):1-6. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023512
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023...
,2727 Sakakibara BM, Lear SA, Barr SI, Benavente O, Goldsmith CH, Silverberg ND, et al. A telehealth intervention to promote healthy lifestyles after stroke: the Stroke Coach protocol. Int J Stroke. 2018;13(2):217-22. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747493017729266
https://doi.org/10.1177/1747493017729266...
).

The association between low HRQoL and the absence of rehabilitation after hospital discharge was evidenced in the study. In Brazil, although the availability of professionals and services focused on rehabilitation is increasing in the public health sector, access to assistance is still scarce and inequitable(2828 Rodes CH, Kurebayashi R, Kondo VE, Luft VD, Góes AB, Schmitt ACB. The access and rehabilitation working process in Primary Health Care. Fisioter Pesqui. 2017;2(1):74-82. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-2950/16786424012017
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-2950/167864...
), a fact that can cause insecurity regarding the prognosis and permanent sequelae(2929 Santos EB, Rodrigues RAP, Fhon JRS, Haas VJ. Changes and predictors of psychological stress among elderly stroke survivors 6 months after hospital discharge. Stress Health. 2018; 34(3):359-66. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2791
https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2791...
).

The sequelae rehabilitation should begin immediately after the event since, commonly, the recovery of limitations occurs in the first months(3030 Campos LM, Martins BM, Cabral NL, Franco SC, Pontes-Neto OM, Mazin SC, et al. How many patients become functionally dependent after a stroke? a 3-year population-based study in Joinville, Brazil. PLoS One. 2017;12(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170204
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.017...
). This process should be introduced in the hospital environment and, after discharge, should be extended to other levels of healthcare through the provision of multidisciplinary care to ensure comprehensive and continuous assistance to reverse the limitations and/or alleviate the sequelae(2828 Rodes CH, Kurebayashi R, Kondo VE, Luft VD, Góes AB, Schmitt ACB. The access and rehabilitation working process in Primary Health Care. Fisioter Pesqui. 2017;2(1):74-82. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-2950/16786424012017
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-2950/167864...
-2929 Santos EB, Rodrigues RAP, Fhon JRS, Haas VJ. Changes and predictors of psychological stress among elderly stroke survivors 6 months after hospital discharge. Stress Health. 2018; 34(3):359-66. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2791
https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2791...
).

In this context, the nurses’ participation in the care process for stroke survivors is indispensable. It is up to them to evaluate the patient and the risk factors for an committed HRQoL, besides welcoming the singularity that involves the experience of stroke survivors, considering cultures and beliefs, building a comprehensive and individual care plan that benefits the HRQoL of this population segment(1010 Lima RJ, Pimenta CJL, Frazão MCLO, Ferreira GRS, Costa TR, Viana LRC, et al. Functional capacity and social support to people affected by cerebrovascular accident. Rev Bras Enferm. 2019;72(4):868-73. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0854
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
,1616 Canuto MAO, Nogueira LT, Araújo TME. Health-related quality of life after stroke. Acta Paul Enferm. 2016;29(3):245-52. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0194201600035
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-01942016000...
).

Study limitations

As a limitation, this study does not conceives a cause and effect relationship the variables; and the exclusion of stroke survivors with neurological comorbidities, cognitive deficits, significant hearing impairment, and aphasia makes it impossible to generalize the results.

Contributions to the Fields of Nursing, Health or Public Policy

The study contributes with relevant data for the production of knowledge in health sciences and nursing, in the perspective of reflections about the importance of using a specific instrument to assess HRQoL after stroke and the factors potentializing the negative impact of this morbidity on the survival of these people.

We emphasize the importance of considering the results of this study for the benefit of this population, using them as a guide for planning biopsychosocial interventions that can effectively intervene in the specific HRQoL of stroke survivors. Furthermore, the present study provides subsidies for the elaboration of public policies and health management to favor the treatment, rehabilitation, social reintegration, and well-being of this population.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present work demonstrated most participants presented low HRQoL, with more significant impairment in social and family roles. The absence of work activity, sedentarism, functional dependence, caregiver presence, motor sequela, and absence of rehabilitation after hospital discharge were associated with a reduced HRQoL. Moreover, it was evidenced that functionally dependent people are 14.61 times more likely to present low HRQoL, and those with motor alteration were 3.07 times more likely to present low HRQoL.

Thus, the HRQoL of stroke survivors may suffer influence by multiple factors, which must be identified to guide health professionals, especially nurses to plan and implement interventions that reduce the negative repercussions of this injury, favoring HRQoL.

  • FUNDING
    The author would like to thank the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of higher Education Personnel) - Código de Financiamento 001 - for the development of this research.
  • SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

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Edited by

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Antonio José de Almeida Filho
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Hugo Fernandes

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    29 Nov 2021
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    30 May 2021
  • Accepted
    16 Aug 2021
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