Pain after stroke and its subsequent effect on health-related quality of life.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of pain on health related quality of life patients with stroke. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the presence of pain, level of pain intensity, to know whether there is any association between pain, age and overall quality of Life. Objectives also were to know about any association between pain intensity and socio-demographic information like age, sex, co-morbidity, types of stroke, affected side, and duration of pain. Methodology: The study design was cross-sectional. Total 127 samples were selected conveniently for this study from Centre for the rehabilitation of the paralyzed (CRP), Neurology unit, at Savar. Data was collected by using of questionnaire, Pain intensity was measured by visual analogue scale and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed by the (SF-36v2) health survey questionnaire. The study was conducted by descriptive and inferential analysis through using SPSS software 20.0 version. Results: This study found the level of pain among patients who experienced stroke. Pain intensity was severe among 16.5% participants, 42.7% had moderate pain, 18.9% had mild pain and rest of 17.3% participants had no pain. A significant association was found in between average pain intensity & quality of life after Stroke. Statistically significant association also found in between age & quality of life. No association found between some sociodemographic information such as Age, gender, co-morbidity, types of stroke, affected side with intensity of pain. Conclusion: Pain after stroke is a common condition which has an influence on physical and psychological aspects of Quality of life (QoL). Stroke itself has a negative impact in QOL it can raise pain and pain also has a adverse effect on QoL. After stroke, when pain intensity becomes high, it causes hamper in a person’s activity of daily living in both physical and mental way. It seems like that if pain intensity is high the overall quality of life become lower. So early detection and proper management of this condition is essential during rehabilitation to prevent more complications and to improve quality of life for individuals with stroke. Key words: Stroke, Pain, Quality of life.