ABSTRACT NUMBER: ESOC2026A2008 POST DISCHARE COPING DIFFICULTY SCALE AS A PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOME MEASURE AFTER STROKE

Abstract Background and aims Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are important for understanding the impact of stroke and identifying strategies to improve post-stroke outcomes. This study describes coping as a PROM, a dimension that is not routinely assessed. Methods This was an observational study of ischaemic stroke patients. Structured follow-up telephone calls were conducted at 3 months post-stroke by trained Stroke Liaison Officers. PROMs included coping, assessed by the Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale (PDCDS), and health-related quality of life, assessed using the EQ-5D-5L. Results Among the 257 ischaemic stroke patients (median age 71 years [IQR 63–81]; 61% male), coping outcomes assessed using the PDCDS are shown in the Figure. High coping difficulty was reported by 36.5% for managing their medical condition and by 33.6% for taking care of their medical needs. In other domains, high coping difficulty was less prevalent, ranging from 3% to 19%. Overall, 36.5% of patients reported high coping difficulty in ≥2 domains, 25.1% in ≥3 domains, and 21.2% in ≥4 domains. These findings indicate that coping difficulties were multidimensional, with a substantial proportion of patients experiencing challenges across multiple coping domains. Among patients reporting EQ5D5L problems, 36% did not report high coping difficulty. Conversely, among patients without EQ5D5L problems 12% reported high coping difficulty. Conclusions Coping is valuable PROM among stroke patients given the prevalence of difficulty detected. Coping difficulties commonly span multiple domains, and reliance on EQ-5D-5L alone may overlook a subset of patients experiencing coping challenges. Conflict of interest Deidre Anne De Silva: Nothing to disclose. Ng Wai May: Nothing to disclose. Carol Tham Huilian: Nothing to disclose. Woon Fung Peng: Nothing to disclose. Renganathan Madhumitha: Nothing to disclose. Muhamad Amirulaldi Bin Syed Ahmad Shah: Nothing to disclose. Figure 1 - belongs to Results