Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality in the world. Most of researchers concern about prognostic factors of stroke outcome. Objectives: Evaluate some factors influencing on stroke functional outcome. Methods: Neurologic impairments of 337 postroke patients at admission was quanlified by Orgogozo Scale. At admission, patients were rated as Group A, severe stroke patients (Orgogozo<25) and group B, less severe stroke patients (Orgogozo>25). The patients also divided into two age groups: Group I (less than 60 years old) and Group II (60 years old or more). Outcomes were assessed one year after stroke using the Rankin Scale. Results: 337 cases of poststroke patients entrolled in the study. Functional recovery was closely related to the severity of neutrologic deficits at admission and patients' age as well. By one year, poor outcomes were noted in 85% poststroke patients with Orgogozo Scores<25 at admission. Conclusion: Outcomes were closely associated with stroke severity at admission and patients' age as well. The Orgogozo Scale can predict the likelihood of a patients' recovery after the event. A Orgogozo score<25 at admission may forecast a hight probability of death or severe disability.
Stroke, Disability Evaluation, Risk Factors

INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the incidence of falls among individuals with stroke living in the community one year after discharge from a rehabilitation hospital in Singapore.

METHODSA cross-sectional telephone survey of individuals with stroke living in the community was carried out one year after discharge. The interview covered aspects such as incidence and circumstances of fall, use of walking aids, and presence of environmental obstacles. Each participant's case record was retrospectively reviewed using discharge Fugl-Meyer (FM) assessment of the upper and lower limbs, functional independence measure (FIM) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS).

RESULTSA total of 126 individuals with stroke were interviewed. Overall, 24% fell in the year following their discharge. Factors associated with falls were longer length of hospital stay, lower BBS and lower-limb FM scores, and lower discharge FIM scores for the Bladder and Bowel Management, Transfer, Mobility, Communication, and Social Cognition domains (p < 0.05). The fallers were more likely to use walking aids, and required help with basic activities of daily living after discharge (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that only the Transfer domain was an independent factor for falls.

CONCLUSIONDischarge FIM outcomes, especially for the Transfer domain, can be used to identify communitydwelling individuals with stroke who have a high fall risk after discharge. Identification of such individuals will enable early fall prevention management, which will in turn minimise fall events in the community.

Accidental Falls ; statistics & numerical data ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Disability Evaluation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Discharge ; Postural Balance ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Stroke ; complications ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Surveys and Questionnaires