Factors Associated with Physical and Psychosocial Problems among Indian Stroke Survivors

Rehabilitative services in India are inadequate in dealing with the physical and psychosocial problems faced by stroke survivors. The present study assessed these problems and the associated sociodemographic factors.

Discharged stroke patients were interviewed at home. Logistic regression analysis assessed associations between patient variables and their problems.

We interviewed 127 stroke patients. Patients with modified Rankin Scale score higher than 3 were more likely to have complaints of pain (odds ratio [OR] = 2.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-4.33), sleeping difficulties (OR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.34-5.78), and feelings of hopelessness (OR = 2.92, 95% CI = 1.23-6.93). Patients aged 60 years or above were more likely to have feelings of helplessness (OR = 3.64, 95% CI = 1.23-10.75) and hopelessness (OR = 3.28, 95% CI = 1.02-10.54). Male patients were more likely to have feelings of hopelessness (OR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.06-7.80). Patients residing in rural areas had higher odds of having thoughts of death (OR = 17.18, 95% CI = 1.98-153.93). Married patients were more likely to face difficulty in asking for help (OR = 4.39, 95% CI = 1.19-16.15) and preferred home-based care (OR = 3.95, 95% CI = 1.11-14.05). Patients educated above 2^nd grade were more likely to have feelings of hopelessness (OR = 6.31, 95% CI = 2.17-17.29) and anger (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.39-8.07). Employed patients were more likely to have feelings of helplessness (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.03-8.54).

Sociodemographic variables of stroke patients can predict their physical and psychosocial problems, which can help the health-care professionals optimize rehabilitation strategies. There is an urgent need of expert rehabilitative and palliative services in India.