Proposal for a New Predictive Scale for Recurrent Risk of Fall in a Cohort of Community-Dwelling Patients with Stroke.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine risk factors related to the occurrence of falls in stroke patients and to propose a new predictive scale for falls. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data were collected and the following scales were applied: Barthel Index, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Subjects were followed prospectively for 2 years for the occurrence of recurrent (≥2) falls. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed and univariable associations were tested using log-rank test. Two separate multivariable models were then used: the first used Cox proportional hazards regression and the second used Poisson regression. In each model, significant associations were considered present with a P value less than .05. RESULTS: We evaluated 150 individuals and the final analysis included 131 patients; the average age of the patients was 55.8 ± 13 years, 52% were women, and the median NIHSS score was 2 (interquartile range = 1-5). Falls occurred in 17% of patients, with a median of 23 months of follow-up (interquartile range = 16-26 months). In the multivariable Cox regression model, only TUG quartile, female gender, and posterior circulation territory involvement remained significant predictors of recurrent falls. We used the predictors from the Cox regression model to propose a new recurrent fall risk scale. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 73%, 95% confidence interval = 62%-83%, P = .001, with 81.3% sensitivity and 41.8% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The new predictive scale for recurrent risk (including TUG, posterior circulation territory involvement, and female gender) is presented as an instrument for monitoring the risk of recurrent falls.

Risk factors associated with falls in adult patients after stroke living in the community: baseline data from a stroke cohort in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with stroke have a high risk of falling, and their fall predictors may differ from those of other populations. PURPOSE: To estimate fall frequency and identify factors related to fall occurrence in a sample of patients with stroke residing in the community. METHODS: Clinical data were collected from 150 consecutive stroke patients with independent gait, and the following scales were applied: modified Barthel Index (mBI), Timed Up & Go Test (TUG), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Univariate analysis was performed; variables with possible association (P < .1) were included in a logistic regression model. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify the best cutoff point for TUG. RESULTS: Falls occurred in 37% of patients. In multivariate analysis, right hemisphere injury (odds ratio [OR], 2.621; 95% CI, 1.196-5.740; P = .016), time in TUG (OR, 1.035 for every increase in 1 second; 95% CI, 1.003-1.069; P = .034), and longer time since stroke onset (OR, 1.012 for every month increase; 95% CI, 1.002-1.021; P = .015) remained predictors. When we grouped individuals according to affected cerebral hemisphere, both hemispheres had similar accuracy, but TUG cutoff point was lower in individuals with right- versus left-hemisphere lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with poor TUG performance, longer times since stroke onset, and right-hemisphere injury have particularly high fall rates, and TUG cutoff points for fall prediction vary according to cerebral hemisphere.

A Simple Hospital Mobility Scale for Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Predicts Long-term Functional Outcome.

Background. Stroke patients present restriction of mobility in the acute phase, and the use of a simple and specific scale can be useful to guide rehabilitation. Objective. To validate and propose a Hospital Mobility Scale (HMS) for ischemic stroke patients as well as to evaluate the HMS as a prognostic indicator. Methods. This study was performed in 2 phases: in the first, we developed the HMS content, and in the second, we defined its score and evaluated its psychometric properties. We performed a longitudinal prospective study consisting of 2 cohorts (derivation and validation cohorts). The data were collected in a stroke unit, and the following scales were applied during hospitalization: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale to quantify stroke severity and the HMS to verify the degree of mobility. The primary outcome was the proportion of unfavorable functional outcomes, defined as a modified Barthel Index of <95. Results. We defined 3 tasks for HMS: sitting, standing, and gait. In the derivation cohort, the HMS presented an accuracy of 84.5% measured using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% CI = 78.3-90.7; P < .001), whereas in the validation cohort the accuracy was 87.8% (95% CI = 81.9%-93.7%; P < .001). The HMS presented a large standardized effect size (1.41) and excellent interexaminer agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.962; 95% CI = 0.917-0.983; P < .001). Conclusion. The HMS was able to predict accurately the functional outcome of poststroke patients, presented excellent interexaminer agreement, and was sensitive in detecting changes.

Validation of the Frenchay activity index on stroke victims.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the inter-rater reliability and predictive validity of the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) in patients after stroke. METHODS: One hundred sixty-one patients were selected for consecutive application of the FAI and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Spearman's test was used for correlation between different scales. The FAI and NIHSS association was evaluated using ordinal logistic regression. Additionally, 36 patients underwent FAI rating on the same day by two independent evaluators. RESULTS: A negative correlation between the FAI and the NIHSS scores (p = 0.017 r = -0.22) was found. Adjusting all variables with possible association with the NIHSS, ordinal logistic regression showed that the FAI had a significant association with NIHSS scores (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.99, p: 0.033). The inter-rater agreement was considered good, k = 0.66 (0.54 to 0.78), p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: The FAI is a valid and useful method to assess instrumental activities before acute stroke in a Brazilian population.

Confiabilidade e validade concorrente da Escala de Mobilidade Hospitalar em pacientes após acidente vascular cerebral / Reliability and concurrent validity of the Hospital Mobility Scale in acute stroke patients

A Escala de Mobilidade Hospitalar (EMH) avalia de forma específica a mobilidade de pacientes após AVC no ambiente hospitalar e em estudo prévio foi demonstrada a sua concordância interexaminadores, validade preditiva e a responsividade a mudanças na fase aguda. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a validade concorrente da EMH e a sua confiabilidade ao ser aplicada através de entrevista. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo de validação, desenvolvido com pacientes internados em uma Unidade de AVC na cidade de Salvador-Bahia. Para avaliar a validade concorrente da EMH comparamos o seu escore com a pontuação da Escala de Rankin modificada (ERm) utilizando o teste de Spearman. Ambas escalas foram aplicadas no quinto dia após o AVC pelo mesmo pesquisador, previamente treinado. Para avaliação da confiabilidade da EMH quando aplicada através de entrevista, a escala foi aplicada por dois examinadores em turnos diferentes, no mesmo dia. O primeiro examinador aplicou a escala através da observação do desempenho e o segundo examinador através de entrevista. Utilizamos para esta análise o Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse (CCI). RESULTADOS: A pontuação total da EMH apresentou uma correlação positiva muito forte com a ERm (r=0,90) e também foi encontrada uma correlação significativa entre os subitens da EMH e a ERm. Ao comparar a aplicação da EMH através da observação do desempenho e aplicação por entrevista, observamos uma excelente concordância interexaminadores (CCI > 0,90). CONCLUSÃO: A Escala de Mobilidade Hospitalar, projetada especificamente para pacientes após AVC, mostrou um alto grau de validade concorrente e se mostrou confiável quando aplicada através de entrevista.

The Hospital Mobility Scale (HMS) evaluates the mobility of stroke patients in the hospital environment and in a previous study showed its inter-examiner agreement, predictive validity and responsiveness to changes in the acute phase. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the concurrent validity of HMS and its reliability when applied by interview. METHODS: This is a validation study, that was developed with patients admitted in a stroke unit, in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. In order to assess the concurrent validity of the HMS, we compared its score with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score by using the spearman test. The same researcher applied both scales on the fifth day after stroke. To assess the reliability of HMS when applied by interview, two examiners applied the scale in different shifts, on the same day. The first evaluation was face-to-face and the second was performed by interview. For this analysis, we used the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The HMS showed a very strong positive correlation with the mRS (r = 0.90) and a significant correlation was also found between the sub-items of the HMS and the mRS. We found excellent inter-examiner agreement between face-to-face and interview assessment (ICC>0.90). CONCLUSION: The hospital mobility scale, that was developed specifically for stroke patients, showed a high degree of concurrent validity and was reliable when applied by interview.

Desempenho da marcha e qualidade de vida nos sobreviventes de avc: um estudo transversal / Gait performance and quality of life in stroke survivors: a cross-sectional study

Introdução: O acidente vascular cerebral é uma das principais causas de deficiências neurológicas no mundo, podendo levar a um amplo espectro de deficiências físicas, inclusive no desempenho da marcha. Essas anormalidades de marcha têm um impacto substancial nas atividades funcionais, no estilo de vida, bem como nas percepções do indivíduo sobre a funcionalidade da vida diária e bem-estar após o acidente vascular cerebral. Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho da marcha, identificando quais os componentes da marcha associados à deterioração da qualidade de vida em sobreviventes de AVC. Métodos: Indivíduos com marcha independente após um acidente vascular cerebral, com ou sem o uso de ajudas para caminhar, como muletas ou bastões, foram incluídos no estudo. Os dados sócio-demográficos e clínicos foram gravados, em seguida, foram avaliados alguns testes, com o teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6M), teste de caminhada de 10 metros (TC10M), Timed Up & Go (TUG) , Índice de Barthel modificado (IBM), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) e European Quality of Life - 5 dimensões (EQ-5D). Um modelo de regressão logística multivariada Stepwise avaliou preditores de qualidade de vida comprometida. Resultados: Foram incluídos 124 indivíduos com idade média de 66 anos e mediana de NIHSS de 3 pontos. A média de EQ-5D foi de 0,44 (DP 0,38) e 91 indivíduos (73%) tiveram qualidade de vida comprometida. Houve uma correlação positiva entre o TC6 e o EQ-5D (r = 0,48, p <0,001). O aumento da idade, capacidade funcional, TC6, TC 10MW, gravidade do AVC e sexo feminino foram associados com comprometimento da QV (p <0,05). Na análise multivariada, TC6M (aumento de OR 0,94 por 10m, p = 0,046), capacidade funcional (OR 0,66, p = 0,022) e idade (OR 0,54 por aumento de 10 anos, p = 0,002) estiveram associados com qualidade de vida comprometida. Conclusão: A distância percorrida no TC6M foi o aspecto de marcha mais forte associado independentemente com a qualidade de vida em indivíduos com moradia comunitária com marcha independente após um acidente vascular cerebral. [AU]

Introduction: Stroke is one of the major causes of neurological deficiencies in the world, and can lead to a wide spectrum of physical deficiencies, including gait performance. These gait abnormalities have a substantial impact on functional activities, lifestyle, and the individual's perceptions about the functionality of daily life and well-being after stroke. Objective: To evaluate gait performance, identifying determining which gait components were associated with impaired quality of life in stroke survivors. Methods: Individuals with independent gait after a stroke, with or without the use of walking aids such as crutches or canes were included in the study. The socio-demographic and clinical data were recorded, then some tests were evaluated, with o 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 10-meters walk test (10MWT), Timed Up & Go (TUG), modified Barthel Index (mBI),National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and European Quality of life ­ 5 dimensions (EQ-5D). A stepwise multivariable logistic regression model assessed predictors of impaired QoL. Results: A total of 124 individual with a mean age of 66 years and median NIHSS of 3 points were included. The mean EQ-5D was 0.44 (SD 0.38) and 91 individuals (73%) had impaired QoL. There was a positive correlation between 6MWT and EQ-5D (r = 0.48, p <0.001). Increasing age, functional capacity, 6MWT, 10MWT, stroke severity and female sex were associated with impaired QoL (p<0.05). In the multivariable analysis, 6MWT (OR 0.94 per 10m increase, p=0.046), functional capacity (OR 0.66, p=0.022) and age (OR 0.54 per 10 year increase, p=0.002) were associated with impaired QoL. Conclusion: Distance walked in 6MWT was the strongest gait aspect independently associated with quality of life in community-dwelling individuals with independent gait after a stroke. [AU]

Validation of the Frenchay activity index on stroke victims / Validação do índice de atividades de Frenchay em indivíduos após AVC

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the inter-rater reliability and predictive validity of the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) in patients after stroke. Methods One hundred sixty-one patients were selected for consecutive application of the FAI and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Spearman’s test was used for correlation between different scales. The FAI and NIHSS association was evaluated using ordinal logistic regression. Additionally, 36 patients underwent FAI rating on the same day by two independent evaluators. Results A negative correlation between the FAI and the NIHSS scores (p = 0.017 r = -0.22) was found. Adjusting all variables with possible association with the NIHSS, ordinal logistic regression showed that the FAI had a significant association with NIHSS scores (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.99, p: 0.033). The inter-rater agreement was considered good, k = 0.66 (0.54 to 0.78), p < 0.001. Conclusions The FAI is a valid and useful method to assess instrumental activities before acute stroke in a Brazilian population.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a confiabilidade inter-examinador e a validade preditiva do Índice de Atividades de Frenchay (FAI) em pacientes após acidente vascular cerebral. Métodos 161 pacientes foram selecionados para aplicação consecutiva da FAI e NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS). O teste de Spearman foi utilizado para correlação entre as diferentes escalas. A associação FAI e NIHSS foi avaliada por meio de regressão logística ordinal. Adicionalmente, 36 pacientes foram submetidos à aplicação do FAI por dois avaliadores independentes, no mesmo dia. Resultados Foi encontrada uma correlação negativa entre o FAI e o NIHSS (r = -0,22; p = 0,017). Ajustando todas as variáveis com possível associação com NIHSS, a regressão logística ordinal demonstrou que o FAI tem associação significativa com o NIHSS (OR 0,93, 95% CI 0,87-0,99, p: 0,033). A concordância entre avaliadores foi considerada boa, k = 0,66 (0,54-0,78), p < 0,001. Conclusões FAI é um método válido e útil para avaliar atividades instrumentais antes de AVC agudo em uma população brasileira.