Are there gender differences in longitudinal patterns of functioning in Nigerian stroke survivors during the first year after stroke?
BACKGROUND
Several studies have examined gender differences in various stroke outcomes. There is however little information on the influence of gender on post-stroke functioning in the context of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).


OBJECTIVE
Gender differences in selected components of functioning, namely motor performance (body function), activity and participation, were examined in a sample of Nigerian stroke survivors.


METHODS
This longitudinal study involved consenting first-incidence stroke survivors who were consecutively recruited from in-patient wards of a University teaching hospital in northern Nigeria. Demographic and clinical data were obtained at recruitment while motor performance, activity and participation were assessed at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months using the Simplified Fugl Meyer scale, the Functional Independence Measure Motor Sub-scale and the London Handicap Scale respectively.


RESULTS
Participants were thirty-three male (60%) and 22 female (40%) stroke survivors who did not significantly differ in age, stroke sub-type, laterality and initial severity (P > 0.05). There were also no significant differences in motor performance, activity and participation between the male and female stroke survivors across the time points.


CONCLUSIONS
Gender differences were not observed in the components of functioning over the first 12 months post-stroke.
Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
Grace Oluwatitofunmi
GO
Vincent-Onabajo
Department of Physiotherapy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Talhatu Kolapo
TK
Hamzat
Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Mayowa Ojo
MO
Owolabi
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009549:Nigeria; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D017741:Survivors; D013997:Time Factors
Activity; ICF; Nigeria; functioning; gender; motor performance; participation; stroke