Determination of the cut-off point of the Functional Independence Measure as a predictor of adverse events in patients with acute stroke

Abstract

Objective This study was performed to determine the cut-off point of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) to discriminate patients with acute stroke who develop adverse events during their stay in a stroke care unit (SCU). Methods All consecutive patients with stroke admitted to a single institute from January to March 2015 were enrolled. They were divided into two groups according to their average daily energy intake in the SCU: ≥66% or <66% of the target (high- and low-energy group, respectively). A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the cut-off point of the FIM to predict adverse events in patients with acute stroke. Results The length of stay in the SCU was significantly longer and the serum C-reactive protein level (CRP) was significantly higher in the low- than high-energy group (7 vs. 4 days and 2.15 vs. 0.20 mg/dL, respectively). The total FIM score cut-off value was 63 points. Conclusions An energy intake of <66% of the target was associated with a significantly longer stay in the SCU and a higher CRP level. A total FIM score cut-off value of 63 points is useful to discriminate patients with adverse events among those with acute stroke.