Gender differences in rehabilitation outcomes among older Chinese patients

Although gender differences have been demonstrated in cardiac and stroke rehabilitation, it remains unclear whether there are gender differences in geriatric rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between gender and rehabilitation outcomes. We studied 1795 patients in two convalescence hospitals in Hong Kong. We defined absolute functional and motor gains as Barthel Index (BI) efficacy and Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS) efficacy while BI and EMS efficiency were efficacy divided by the length of stay. Satisfactory motor and functional outcomes were defined as discharge EMS ≥ 15 and BI ≥ 75. Compared with men, women had higher BI but lower EMS on admission and discharge. EMS and BI efficacy and efficiency were similar in both sexes. Female gender was a significant negative predictor for satisfactory motor outcome (p=0.0002) but a positive predictor for functional outcome (p=0.0007). Other predictors for satisfactory motor outcome were: age (p<0.001); urinary incontinence (p=0.0049); living at home (p=0.0056); admission EMS (p<0.001); admission BI (p=0.044). Other predictors for satisfactory functional outcome were: age (p=0.009); infection other than chest (p=0.047); urinary incontinence (p<0.001); Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) (p=0.0004); admission EMS (p=0.005); BI (p<0.001). Women achieved a better functional outcome but a poorer motor outcome on discharge. Female gender was a positive predictor for functional outcome but a negative factor for motor outcome.