title: The ideal measurement of the quality of life in post stroke patients: an urban study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is paucity of literature on the measurement of the quality of life in post stroke patients in the developing countries. The main objective of this study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) of post stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted on 107 post stroke patients in two centers. The data was obtained during the period of January 2009 till May 2009 using purposive sampling method. A total of 68 males and 39 females participated in this study. Stroke Specific Quality Of Life (SS-QOL) version 2.0 was used. Cronbach's alpha values for SS-QOL ranged between 0.73 and 0.89.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ± SD of the QOL score was 141.79 ± 40.32. The mean ± SD of the age was 65.47 ± 11.79 years. Result showed significant negative association between age and QOL of post stroke patients (r = - 0.199, p= 0.040). Domains mostly affected by stroke compared to pre-stroke were mobility (69%) and energy (64%). There were two domains in SS-QOL significantly predicted the QOL of post stroke patients. These domains were work and productivity (β= 2.277, t= 2.145, p= 0.035) and thinking (β= 1.927, t= 2.567, p= 0.012).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Few items from this measurement tool may not be appropriate in a developing country because of the different cultural background. There is a need to develop appropriate post stroke patient measurement tool based on local practice.
authors: Departments of Nursing, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. samsiah@ppukm.ukm.my
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Samsiah
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Das
authors: S Y
authors: SY
authors: Chee
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Rashidah
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Siti
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Ruth
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Hamidah
authors: S E
authors: SE
authors: Ho
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Santhna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D020521:Stroke; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health