Prestroke living situation and depression contribute to initial stroke severity and stroke recovery

Substantial evidence from both experimental and clinical studies has demonstrated that social isolation can increase stroke incidence and impair recovery. Social isolation leads to higher rates of recurrent stroke but is often not reported as a risk factor. We examined prospectively collected stroke center database variables, which included prestroke living situation, to determine if social isolation could be determined from existing data using living arrangement as a proxy. Patients were categorized into 4 groups hypothesized to represent increasing levels of social isolation: living with spouse, living with family, living alone with visiting services, and living alone. Initial stroke severity and recovery were measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Barthel Index, respectively. A multivariate model was used to determine the relationship among prestroke living situation, stroke severity, and functional outcome. Patients living alone had less severe strokes on admission and better recovery at 3 months compared with the other cohorts. Patients living alone or those who lived with a spouse had less severe strokes on presentation and better recovery at both 3 and 12 months after stroke compared with the other cohorts. However, on detailed examination, it was found that these patients also had significantly higher prestroke function. Pre-existing depression was significantly higher in women, and depressed patients had poorer outcomes 3 months after stroke. Information regarding isolation is notably absent from most large stroke databases. A more comprehensive evaluation of social interaction should be obtained to more accurately measure social isolation.