title: [Functional status and quality of life of stroke survivors living in rural areas and small towns].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ischemic stroke in most cases leads to substantial worsening of physical fitness and the quality of life. The aim of this study was the assessment of those aspects in a group of stroke patients living in rural areas and in small towns. The influence of demographic and clinical factors on functional status and quality of life was analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Functional status of 108 patients was assessed with Barthel Index (BI) three months after stroke. The poststroke quality of life was also assessed by means of Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) in a group of 63 patients who scored 40 or more points at BI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both functional status and the quality of life of people performing a job of a farmer were worse than those of members of other professions. Patients who were treated with beta-blockers and statins before the stroke gained better results in assessment of functional status. Previous treatment with beta-blockers had also positive influence on poststroke quality of life. Patients under-60-year old and those with massive stroke (TACI) scored worse results both in evaluation of functional status and quality of life. Presence of coronary heart disease had also a negative impact on functional status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although both functional status and quality of life of people living in small towns and in the rural areas are comparable to those obtained in other populations, yet functional status and quality of life of farmers are significantly worse than members of other professional groups living in the same area. Functional status and the quality of life of the patients are also dependent on age, clinical subtype of stroke and prestroke treatment.
authors: Oddzial Neurologii Wojewódzki Szpital Podkarpacki im. Jana Pawła II w Krośnie. r_jucha@poczta.fm
authors: Rafał
authors: R
authors: Jucha
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012424:Rural Population; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*