Influence of chronic kidney disease and haemodialysis on stroke outcome

Stroke patients with underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those on haemodialysis have complex rehabilitation needs, and their survival and functional outcomes are limited. This study aimed to review post-stroke survival and functional outcomes following rehabilitation in patients with CKD and those on haemodialysis.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive stroke patients with underlying CKD (Stages G3b, G4 and G5; n = 30) and those on dialysis at the time of stroke (n = 7), who underwent in-patient rehabilitation between June 2008 and May 2017. The mean duration of follow-up was 56 months. Demographic details, associated comorbidities and laboratory parameters were reviewed. Baseline and follow-up scores of the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and dates of death of the patients were analysed.

Of the 37 consecutive stroke patients (mean age 64.7 years), 34 had ischaemic stroke and three had haemorrhagic transformation. Significant improvements in NIHSS and FIM scores were observed from the time of admission to after discharge. Older age, longer duration of hospital stay, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and low haemoglobin levels were all significantly related to mortality.

Despite significant functional and neurological improvements following rehabilitation, stroke patients with underlying CKD had higher average duration of hospital stay, more recurrent hospitalisations and poorer survival outcomes than those without underlying CKD. This could be attributed to the complications associated with CKD rather than stroke. Multidisciplinary community rehabilitation may be an alternative to reduce recurrent hospitalisations and morbidity in this group of patients.