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Updated: Jul 10, 2025

Computerized Adaptive Testing System of Functional Assessment of Stroke
Published on: January 7, 2019
Predictive value of functional disability scales among stroke survivors: A long-term mortality evaluation in a
Ana Cristina G de Goes1, Karla A S Souza1, Gisela Tunes2
1Center for Clinical and Epidemiological Research, Hospital Universitário, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Lineu Prestes 2565, Butantan - Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil.
Objective:
To assess the influence of two functional scales- Modified Rankin Scale (m-RS) and Modified Katz Index (m-Katz Index) on long-term mortality in a stroke cohort.
Material And Methods:
Among 760 stroke survivors (median age: 66 (IQR:56-75), 56.4 % women) m-Katz Index and m-RS scales applied at 1 and 6 months after stroke, were investigated in relation to 12-years of all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were computed, and time-varying covariate Cox regression models were fitted to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) in all sample and by sex. The prognostic ability of the fitted models was computed for each model by six different measures.
Results:
After 12 years of follow-up (median survival time: 7.3 years), 311 participants died. Overall survival curves show lower survival rates among those with the highest levels of disability/dependence (all log-rank p-values <0.0001). These findings were confirmed in all regression models for both sexes, particularly in men who had higher levels of dependence on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) by m-Katz Index and severe disability by m-RS and presented the highest HR of dying (HR: 3.34 (95 %CI: 2.27-4.92) and HR: 4.94 (95 % CI: 3.15-7.75), respectively).
Conclusions:
Both the m-Katz Index and the m-RS scale were good predictors of long-term mortality, which is of importance for guiding the functional rehabilitation of stroke patients. Besides, high levels of disability and dependence were implicated with high mortality risks, regardless of sex.

