The impact of somatosensory function on activity performance and length of hospital stay in geriatric patients with stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate in geriatric patients with stroke the relationship between somatosensory function, activity performance and the length of stay (LOS) in either hospital or nursing home.


METHODS
Survey.


METHODS
Stroke unit and geriatric rehabilitation unit.


METHODS
One hundred and fifteen consecutive patients with acute stroke > or = 65 years old.


METHODS
Clinically assessed somatosensory function, activity of daily living according to the Barthel Index (BI) (0-100 points), mobility according to the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) (0-15 points) and LOS.


RESULTS
Ten days after stroke onset, the patients with normal (n = 46), impaired (n = 31) and nonassessable (n = 38) somatosensory function scored 85, 40 and 0 points respectively on the BI, and 8.5, 2 and 0 points respectively on the RMI. Forty-one of 46 patients (89%) with normal somatosensory function were discharged home within three months, compared with 10 of 31 patients (32%) with impaired somatosensory function and three of 38 patients (8%) who were nonassessable. These between-group differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Multiple regression, to adjust for the impact of age, social situation and bladder function on outcome still proved a statistically significant (p < 0.001) predictive value of normal somatosensory function.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal somatosensory function is related to high activity levels and short LOS more often than somatosensory impairment is related to activity limitations and long LOS.
Sommerfeld
Disa Kathryn
DK
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Danderyd Hospital, Danderyd, Sweden. disa_sommerfeld@hotmail.com
von Arbin
Magnus H
MH
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013548:Sweden