No sex difference in the association of pre-stroke physical activity with functional independence after ischemic...

Whether physical activity is associated with functional outcomes from ischemic stroke remains poorly understood. We aimed to explore the association of pre-stroke physical activity and functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke according to sex. Pre-stroke physical activity was assessed using a four-level questionnaire named Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale (SGPALS). Our primary outcome was functional independence, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2 three months after stroke onset. The secondary outcome was the shift in the mRS score at 3 and 6 months. A prospective cohort study design was used to estimate the multivariable-adjusted odds of functional independence with pre-stroke physical activity. We analyzed 257 men and 142 women participants, including 230 physically inactive and 169 active ones in the final analysis. Physical active participants were at a higher odds of achieving functional independence at 3 months (adjusted OR 4.14, 95% CI 2.35-7.31; adjusted common odds ratio (cOR) 2.38, 95% CI 1.60-3.56). When stratified by sex adjusted point estimates from logistic regression models indicated that pre-stroke physical activity was significantly associated with 3-month functional independence in both men (adjusted OR 4.75, 95%CI 2.23-10.09; adjusted cOR 2.70, 95% CI 1.63-4.51) and women (adjusted OR 3.64, 95% CI 1.44-9.18; adjusted cOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.01-4.43). This study showed an association between physical activity and functional independence 3 months after ischemic stroke. Moreover, no indication of sex difference in this association were observed.