Correlation between demographic characteristics, cognitive functioning and functional independence in stroke patients

Abstract

Introduction. It has been assumed that there is causality of the achieved level of functional independence with the degree of preservation of cognitive function in stroke patients. Demographic characteristics may be important for monitoring the achieved level of functional independence. Objective. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of demographic characteristics and functional independence in regard to the level of cognitive impairment in stroke patients. Methods. The study included 50 stroke patients after rehabilitation, as well as age- and gender-matched 50 subjects selected randomly, according to the demographic characteristics of the studied sample, who in their medical history had no neurological disorders. For the assessment of functional independence, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) test was used. The general cognition was estimated by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test. The statistical analyses included the Mann-Whitney test, for two independent samples, measures of canonical correlation, and ?2 test. Results. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in relation to risk factors, hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II (p<0.001); There was a statistically significant difference within the groups in relation to the cognitive impairment in all the examined demographic characteristics (p<0.001); the differences within the groups in relation to the cognitive impairment are present on all subscales of the FIM test (p<0.05); the differences within the groups in relation to handedness, hemiparesis, show that mild cognitive impairment is more common among left hemiparesis, while a more severe one is more common among right-sided hemiparesis (p<0.05); More severe cognitive impairment is common among women, the elderly and in persons with lower education (p<0.05). Conclusion. By prevention of risk factors, and prevention of possible cognitive impairment, consequences of stroke can be reduced, the recovery can be made more successful, and quality of life can be improved.