FUNCTIONALITY AND MORTALITY IN INDIVIDUALS WITH STROKE AFTER ONE YEAR OF HOSPITAL DISCHARGE

Abstract

Objective: To assess functionality and mortality in patients with stroke after one year of hospital discharge. Methods: Prospective longitudinal cohort study with patients admitted to the stroke unit and evaluated at three moments: admission, discharge from the unit and after one year of hospital discharge. Results: One year after discharge, the mortality rate was 23% and functionality improved in relation to the time of hospital discharge (p<0.01). Furthermore, functionality and muscle strength improved at hospital discharge compared to admission (p<0.01). Regarding the values of functionality and strength of patients who died after one year, they were worse at hospital discharge when compared to the same assessment of survivors (p<0.01). Conclusion: After one year of hospital discharge, post-stroke patients show progressive improvement in functionality and strength, but still with risk of death, especially during this period.