Health-related quality of life in persons with long-term pain after a stroke.
BACKGROUND
No study has, to our knowledge, previously been published on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a group suffering from long-term pain after a stroke.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to describe HRQoL in persons with long-term pain after a stroke, and to compare this with different types of pain conditions, age, gender and household status.


METHODS
This study has a design combining qualitative and quantitative methods.


METHODS
Forty three participants suffering from long-term pain after a stroke were included. A qualitative interview was performed and then analysed by means of latent content analysis. In addition, two self-report questionnaires, SF-36 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD Scale), were used.


RESULTS
The qualitative data revealed that physical and cognitive functioning, economic security and good relationships, support and having the ability to be together with family and friends were important factors with regard to experienced HRQoL. No significant differences were found in SF-36 and the HAD Scale with regard to the different types of pain. The older age group had decreased physical functioning in SF-36. The men had more decreased vitality than the women.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show, that the participants in this study have a lower HRQoL due to their long-term pain than those in previous studies on stroke survivors. It is evident that further research is needed with longitudinal studies and larger populations to gain more knowledge and thereby provide better supportive care.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness and understanding of the patients' perceptions and transitions with regard to their life situation and suffering from long-term pain after a stroke is important in order to support a maintained or increased HRQoL. This is also important after the acute stage and rehabilitation, including quality of life of the relatives, especially to older and dependent persons.
Widar
Marita
M
Department of Medicine and Care, Division of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. marita.widar@ivo.oru.se
Ahlström
Gerd
G
Ek
Anna-Christina
AC
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden