ABSTRACT NUMBER: ESOC2026A2045 COMPARING SELF-REPORTED AND NEUROLOGIST-ASSESSED MRS SCORES IN ZAMBIAN STROKE PATIENTS: INPATIENT VS. OUTPATIENT SETTINGS

Abstract Background and aims The correlation between self-reported and neurologist-assessed mRS in different settings in Zambia is unknown. We examined differences in scoring agreement between self-reported and traditional clinician-evaluated mRS scores in inpatients with acute stroke and outpatients at least 3 months post-stroke at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Zambia, to identify gaps in traditional assessments and inform more accurate, patient-centered care. Methods Mixed-methods, cross-sectional study of adults with stroke in inpatient (onset within 7 days) or outpatient (onset > 3 months) settings at UTH. mRS was assessed through both in-person clinician assessment and a self-reported mRS questionnaire administered in the participants’ preferred language (English, Bemba, or Nyanja). Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore why patients or caregivers answered the questionnaire as they did, to assess possible reasons for differences in scoring between patient-reported and clinician-evaluated mRS. Results Conclusions 1. Zambian adults with stroke exhibit moderate functional disability as assessed by the mRS, but self-reported and clinician-assessed mRS scores exhibit only moderate agreement, influenced by socioeconomic and linguistic factors. 2. Culturally adapted mRS assessments and the inclusion of non-motor deficits are recommended to improve the accuracy of disability evaluations in this population. Conflict of interest Michael Kinkata. Nothing to disclose Table 1 - belongs to Results