Prognostic factors of functional recovery from a stroke at one year

Recovery of the ability to walk and independence is fundamental for any patient who suffers a stroke, and it can be influenced by a number of factors. To determine what variables are more important to achieve a good functional recovery at one year after the stroke. An observational, longitudinal prospective study was conducted with 231 patients diagnosed with a stroke in the year 2013. An analysis was performed of the clinical characteristics, socio-demographic data, neurological situation at the time of hospitalisation -National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)-, functional situation (Rankin Scale and Barthel Index) and ability to walk, both on hospitalisation and on discharge from rehabilitation and at one year. The mean age was 74.26 ± 13.1 years, and 55.4% were males. The mean length of stay in hospital was 16.24 days. 68.9% followed rehabilitation therapy, with an average of 95.5 sessions. Good functional capacity was recovered by 51.7% at one year (Rankin < 2 and Barthel > 85), and 63.5% regained the ability to walk independently. The factors that had the most significant influence on functional and gait recovery at one year were: lower age, NIHSS score < 10 in the first week, the type of stroke (small vessel), the absence of atrial fibrillation and better previous functional situation. At one year of having suffered a stroke, most of the patients recover the capacity for independent gait and to a lesser extent independence in activities of daily living.