[Prognostic criteria for rehabilitation of stroke patients]

The present study had been aimed at identifying factors influencing the rehabilitation outcome of stroke patients and at verifying the rank of these factors from a prognostic angle. It was found on a population of 361 patients that age, gender and the risk factors arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus, when viewed in isolation, do not have a significant influence on rehabilitation outcome. In light of this finding, great prognostic significance is attached to the course of therapy as such. We have been able to show that, in a majority of the patients, a reliable estimate of the final outcome attained can already be made within the initial four weeks of treatment based on an empirically determined targeted weekly gain of 5 Barthel points. It is shown on a group of 118 patients that application of this prognostic index has benefitted some 87% of the patients in terms of duration of therapy.