[Statistical analysis of post-stroke patients in a rehabilitation institution]

A retrospective analysis of 312 stroke patients (200 men, 112 women; average age 65) admitted to Yamaguchi Rehabilitation Hospital during the past three years showed the following results. 1) After an average period of stay of 244 days 225 patients were discharged to home, general hospitals, extended care facilities, or nursing homes. 2) The group of patients over 80 years of age at admission had a lower ratio of home returns than in other groups (p less than 0.01). 3) Patients who returned home had higher scores not only on discharge Barthel index scores but on admission Barthel index scores, compared with other discharged patients (p less than 0.01). 4) The higher the admission Barthel index score, the shorter the period of stay (p less than 0.01). Concerning discharge Barthel index scores, patients who stayed over two years had lower scores than patients who stayed less than two years (p less than 0.01). The results of this analysis suggest the importance of determining goals and programs taking admission Barthel index scores as well as other available factors into consideration for patients with stroke admitted to rehabilitation institutions.