ABSTRACT NUMBER: ESOC2026A394 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACTS ON AUSTRALIAN STROKE SURVIVORS: EVIDENCE FROM A SURVEY OF AUSTRALIAN STROKE CLINICAL REGISTRY PARTICIPANTS

Abstract Background and aims Stroke affects paid employment for survivors and informal carers; contemporary data are lacking. Aim: To provide new evidence of productivity impacts after stroke. Methods A cross-sectional survey of people with stroke at 1 year and 5 years aged 18+ years from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry. We adapted standardised questionnaires for the posted paper-based survey to obtain data on paid work and informal care. Where applicable, main informal caregivers could provide data on paid work. Options to complete electronically (QR code) or telephone were offered. Data collection ongoing. Results As of December 2025, there were 150 participants and 95 informal carergivers who completed the survey. Participants’ mean age was 74 years, 68% were male, and 61% reported having an informal carer (18% existing prior to stroke). One third (33%) of participants reported working in the year prior to their stroke, whereby 48% had not returned to work after their stroke. Of those who returned to work, 41% reported working decreased hours compared to before their stroke. Participants received an average 31 hours [SD 87 hours] of informal care per week, an increase compared 4 hours per week before their stroke. Informal carers mean age was 70 years, 73% were female, and 36% were working prior to the participant’s stroke. Of these, 23% reported that they had not returned to work. Of those who returned to work, 42% were working decreased hours. Conclusions The preliminary evidence is essential to inform a greater understanding of paid employment and informal carergiver workforce impacts. Conflict of interest DC is the Executive Director for the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry, has received funding from Boehringer Ingelheim paid to her institution. All other authors nothing to disclose.