[Incidence of neuromedical complications during rehabilitation after stroke]

Abstract

Background and purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the frequency and types of neuromedical complications in stroke rehabilitation depending on the age, sex and time from the onset of stroke.

Material: 498 patients after stroke (225 females, 227 males) during inpatient rehabilitation in the Rehabilitation Department at the Provincial Hospital no. 2 in Rzeszów.

Results: At least one complication after stroke was stated in 391 (78.5%) patients. We recorded the following neurological complications: recurrent stroke (2.8%), epileptic seizures (9.8%), depression (14.7%), confusion (10.6%) and medical complications: urinary tract infections (36.9%), pneumonia (9.8%), falls (11.8%), deep vein thrombosis (2%), pulmonary embolism (1.4%) and paretic limb problems (pain -- 23.1%, edema -- 20.9%, shoulder subluxation -- 3.2%). Females were more likely to have urinary tract infections and pulmonary embolism. Patients over 80 years suffered more frequently from multiple complications. Age turned out to be a risk factor for stroke progression, pulmonary embolism, gastrointestinal bleeding and confusion. The frequency of complications was related with duration after stroke. Urinary tract infections, pneumonias, mental disorders and falls were more common up to three months from the onset of stroke, while epileptic seizures occurred more frequently over three months after stroke.

Conclusions: At least one medical complication is noted in most patients after stroke during their rehabilitation, careful prevention, early diagnostics and treatment of complications after stroke are necessary in order to make rehabilitation after stroke more effective.