Upper limb function predicts quality of life at three and six months after hospital discharge in individuals with stroke: a prospective longitudinal study

This study aimed to determine whether the upper limb function assessed after stroke during hospital admission predicts health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with stroke after 3 and 6 months of discharge. This is a prospective longitudinal study. The possible predictors were handgrip strength of the paretic side, upper limb motor recovery (Fugl-Meyer Assessment), upper limb performance in self-care activities (items of eating, personal hygiene, and dressing scores of the modified Barthel Index), and functional independence (modified Barthel Index total score), assessed at hospital discharge. HRQoL was assessed using generic (36-Item Short Form Health Survey) and specific (Stroke Specific Quality of Life) questionnaires at 3 and 6 months after stroke. At 3 months after stroke, upper limb performance in personal hygiene and handgrip strength of the paretic side predicted generic (27%; F = 6.85, P = 0.005) and specific (38%; F = 6.35, P = 0.003) HRQoL. At 6 months after stroke, handgrip strength of the paretic side was the only significant predictor of generic HRQoL (15%; F = 12.90, P < 0.001), and upper limb performance in personal hygiene and upper limb motor recovery were the only significant predictors of specific HRQoL (30%; F = 7.69, P = 0.008). Upper limb performance in personal hygiene and handgrip strength of the paretic side assessed immediately after stroke predicted generic and specific HRQoL at 3 months after stroke. These variables were also important at 6 months, with handgrip strength of the paretic side being the single predictor for generic HRQoL, and upper limb performance in personal hygiene, together with upper limb motor recovery, being the predictors for specific HRQoL.