[Correlation between quality of life and social/demographic factors in patients with stroke]

The population of Kaunas was studied in 2004-2006. The main group included 508 patients with first-ever stroke and the control group included 508 age- and sex-matched people randomly selected from the population. The SF-12 quality of life questionnaire in the domains of physical and mental health was used. The significant inverse correlation (p < 0.05) between the physical health and the age was found both in patients (r = -0.34) and controls (r = -0.64). The scores of physical health were higher in men (p < 0.001) as compared to women only in the control group. The physical health of Livonian patients was better (p < 0.008) than that of patients of other ethnic groups. People living alone scored their physical health lower as in the control (p < 0.01) as well in main (p < 0.008) groups. The physical health of working people was better (p < 0.005) in both groups. In both groups, subjects with higher education and those not living alone reported themselves in better health regardless of sex compared to people with lower education and/or those living alone and/or unemployed.