WSO December 2023 – Issue 3 - 1178

1184367
WSO
International Journal of StrokeReinholdsson et al.
Research
Associations between pre-stroke
physical activity levels and healthrelated
quality of life 3 months after
stroke: A registry-based study (part of
PAPSIGOT)
Malin Reinholdsson1,2 , Annie Palstam1,3, Katarina Jood1,3
and Katharina S Sunnerhagen1,3
International Journal of Stroke
2023, Vol. 18(10) 1178 -1185
© 2023 World Stroke Organization
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DOI: 10.1177/17474930231184367
journals.sagepub.com/home/wso
https://doi.org/10.1177/17474930231184367
Abstract
Background: Whether pre-stroke physical activity is associated with health-related quality of life after stroke has been
sparsely investigated.
Aims: To explore associations between pre-stroke physical activity and health-related quality of life 3 months after
stroke onset.
Methods: A consecutively collected cohort study with data from registries. Included were adult patients with first
stroke in the period 2014-2018 who were hospitalized at any one of the three stroke units in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Pre-stroke physical activity was assessed with the Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale (SGPALS) after hospital
admission for acute stroke. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the EuroQoL 5 Dimensions 5 Level Version
(EQ-5D-5L) 3 months after stroke. Data were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test and binary logistic regression.
Results: Data were included from 2044 patients; 91% had ischemic stroke, 46% were female, and mean age was
73 years, with mild stroke severity median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) of 2. Patients who were
pre-stroke physically active reported better overall health-related quality of life by the EQ-5D-5L index value, all the
domains in EQ-5D-5L, and the EuroQoL-Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) compared with pre-stroke physically inactive
patients (all p < 0.001). Better health-related quality of life 3 months after stroke was associated with pre-stroke light and
moderate physical activity: adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 1.9 (1.5-2.3) and 2.3 (1.5-3.4), respectively.
Conclusion: Pre-stroke physical activity is associated with better health-related quality of life 3 months after stroke.
For the domains of mobility, self-care, and pain/discomfort, physical activity with higher intensity is even more beneficial.
Keywords
Pre-stroke, stroke, exercise, physical activity, sedentary behavior, health-related quality of life
Received: 22 March 2023; accepted: 2 June 2023
Introduction
Stroke is a leading cause of disability, with an increasing
number of people living with the consequences of stroke.1
Stroke can have an impact on physical, cognitive, and psychological
health.2 In life after stroke, the well-being of a
person is often affected with reduced health-related quality
of life,2,3 as reported by 25% of patients 3 months after
stroke.4 Patient-reported outcomes such as health-related
quality of life, defined as " how well a person functions in
their life and his or her perceived well-being in physical,
International Journal of Stroke, 18(10)
1 Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience
and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg,
Gothenburg, Sweden
2 Region Västra Götaland, Department of Occupational Therapy and
Physiotherapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
3 Region Västra Götaland, Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska
University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
Corresponding author:
Malin Reinholdsson, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute
of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University
of Gothenburg, Rehabilitation medicine, Vita Stråket 12, Sahlgrenska
University hospital, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden.
Email: malin.reinholdsson@gu.se
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WSO December 2023 – Issue 3

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of WSO December 2023 – Issue 3
