Stroke and activity limitation in Chinese adults 65 Years or older

Differences in activity limitations between stroke survivors and people with other chronic conditions and how their levels of activity limitation vary by sociodemographic characteristics have not been well quantified.

To quantify activity limitations experienced by Chinese older adult stroke survivors and explore stroke effects in specific subgroups.

We used Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey 2017-2018 data (N = 11,743) to produce population-weighted estimates of activity limitations using the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and the Instrumental ADL (IADL) scales for older adults (age 65 and older) stroke survivors compared to those with non-stroke chronic conditions and those without chronic conditions. Multinomial logistic regressions were run with outcomes "no activity limitation," "IADL only limitation," and "ADL limitation."

The weighted marginal prevalence of ADL limitation was higher in the stroke group (14.8%) than in those with non-stroke chronic condition (4.8%) or no chronic conditions (3.6%) (p < 0.01). The corresponding prevalence of IADL limitation for the three groups was 36.0%, 31.4%, and 22.2%, respectively (p < 0.01). Stroke survivors aged ≥ 80 years had a higher prevalence of ADL/IADL limitation than those aged 65-79 years (p < 0.01). Formal education was associated with a lower prevalence of ADL/IADL limitation in each chronic condition group (p < 0.01).

Prevalence and severity of activity limitation among Chinese older adult stroke survivors were several times higher than those without chronic conditions and those with non-stroke chronic conditions. Stroke survivors, particularly those aged ≥80 years and those without formal education, might be predisposed to more severe activity limitation and require more support to compensate.