Factors predicting stroke specific quality of life in post stroke aphasia

Abstract

Background: Understanding the factors that predict stroke-specific QoL in post-stroke aphasia patients in Pakistan is crucial for developing targeted interventions and improving the rehabilitation process. Objective: To determine the factors predicting the stroke-specific quality of life in post-stroke aphasia. Methodology: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted over 18 months from June 2021 to December 2022 at RHS Rehabilitation Centre Islamabad Pakistan. A total of n=134 independent participants with fluent and non-fluent aphasia at least six months post-stroke, and able to follow one-step commands were included in the study through a non-probability convenient sampling technique. The stroke-specific quality of life (SS-QoL) scale was used to assess the quality of life in the participants, while the list of predictors was developed from the literature. SPSS version 21 was used for statistical analysis. Result: A multiple regression was run to predict the quality of life from marital status, gender, family status, patient's socioeconomic status, types of strokes, types of aphasia, and comorbidities. These variables statistically significantly predicted quality of life {F(13,120)=10.366, p<0.001}. All variables cause 47.8% (Adj. R2=0.478) variance in stroke-specific quality of life in aphasia patients. Conclusion: The male gender, married marital status, middle and upper socioeconomic status, ischemic stroke compared to hemorrhagic stroke, fluent aphasia, and cardiac disease compared to other comorbidities positively affect the quality of life in post-stroke aphasia patients. However, age and the family system did not show any impact on the quality of life. Keywords: aphasia; diabetes; quality of life; stroke