Respiratory and functional status of inpatients with stroke: a cross-sectional study

Respiratory function and functional status are often impaired after stroke, yet respiratory assessment before rehabilitation is frequently overlooked. Few studies explore these parameters in the acute and subacute phases, which are critical for recovery. Understandingtheir relationship may guide more effective rehabilitation.

To characterize respiratory function and functional status in stroke inpatients at rehabilitation admission. Secondary objectives were to examine correlations between them, and to assess the influence of sex, age, comorbidities, body mass index, stroke type, and time since stroke on these correlations.

A cross-sectional study included stroke inpatients admitted to rehabilitation between 2023 and 2024. Demographics, Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP), Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP), Peak Cough Flow (PCF), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were collected.

Eighty-four participants (67% male; 49% aged 60-69; 48% > 25 kg/m²; 70% ischemic stroke; 38 median days post-stroke) were included. Respiratory function was: MIP (median: 48.5 cmH₂O; interquartile range [IQR]: 28.5;66), MEP (mean: 65.1 cmH₂O; standard deviation [SD]: 26.1) and PCF (mean: 218.5 L/min; SD: 142.1), which were majorly below reference values, except for PCF. Functional status was as follows: FIM (median: 84; IQR: 70.75;93) and TIS (median: 14; IQR: 10.75;18). Correlation analysis showed weak correlation between PCF and FIM (R = 0.35) and TIS (R = 0.30), and moderate correlations between FIM and MIP (R = 0.47) and MEP (R = 0.42). Demographics and stroke subtypes did not significantly impact these correlations.

Respiratory and functional impairments are common early after stroke. Their significant correlation supports routine respiratory assessment at rehabilitation admission to guide individualized interventions, regardless of demographics or stroke subtypes.