A Longitudinal Study of Health-Related Quality of Life of First Stroke Survivors’ Close Relatives

Background and Purpose:Mental and social burdens of stroke patients’ relatives have been investigated repeatedly, but there is little information about their quality of life (QoL). The purpose of the study was to describe the health-related QoL of stroke patients’ relatives at 3 points in time after the stroke. Method: Sixty-four closest relatives of patients suffering from a disabling stroke were questioned at admission to inpatient rehabilitation as well as 6 months and 1 year after discharge with the SF36 (short form 36-item questionnaire) and about probable covariates. Results: During inpatient rehabilitation relatives’ perception of their physical role as well as of all mental health scales was significantly lower than the normative data. We found improvements in all scales except physical functioning between inpatient rehabilitation and 6 months after discharge. Deteriorations between 6 months and 1 year occurred in physical functioning, role physical, social functioning, role emotional and mental health. Conclusions: Changes in perceived health-related QoL indicate that relatives go through different stages while coping with the chronic illness of their family member during rehabilitation and in the first year after discharge. These findings may aid support and counseling.