Prevalence and disabilities of community-living seniors who report the effects of stroke
Year: 1998
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Stroke is a leading cause of death and adult neurological disability. However, there are few data from which to determine the prevalence of stroke in Canada or the wellbeing of those who have been affected by stroke. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of stroke among Canadians aged 65 and over living in the community, and to explore characteristics such as the prevalence of physical and cognitive disability and the need for assistance with activities of daily living. Methods: Secondary analysis of data from the National Health Population Survey (NPHS) conducted by Statistics Canada (1994/95). Results: Of 58 439 people surveyed, 319 reported having experienced the effects of stroke. From these figures it was extrapolated that there are 205 000 survivors of stroke in Canada, and 4.1% of people aged 65 and older in the community are living with the effects of stroke. Seniors who experienced stroke more often reported their health to be “poor” or “fair” than seniors who had not (69% v. 25%, p < 0.05) and reported other health conditions such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Of those who experienced stroke, 87% reported a restriction in the activities of everyday living, compared with 37% of those who had not experienced stroke (p < 0.05). More stroke survivors than people who had not experienced stroke reported other conditions, such as pain that prevented some or most of their activities (36% v. 11%, p < 0.05), mobility problems (42% v. 10%, p < 0.05) and cognitive problems (21% v. 11%, p < 0.05). Survivors of stroke were also more likely to receive home care (35% v. 9%, p < 0.05) and to require assistance with activities of daily life. Interpretation: Analysis of the NPHS made it possible to estimate the prevalence of stroke among Canadians aged 65 or older who live in the community with the effects of stroke. Although cause could not be established, stroke in this age group was associated with more disability, more restrictions in the activities of daily life, poorer health and more concomitant health problems than in those without stroke. Resume Contexte : Les accidents cerebrovasculaires (ACV) sont parmi les principales causes de deces et d’incapacite neurologique chez les adultes. Il existe toutefois peu de donnees permettant de cerner la prevalence des ACV au Canada ou de connaitre l’etat de sante des personnes qui ont ete victimes d’un ACV. Cette etude avait pour objectif d’etablir la prevalence des ACV chez les Canadiens de 65 ans et plus qui vivent dans la communaute et d’explorer des caracteristiques comme la prevalence des incapacites physiques et cogni
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Author: Corinne Hodgson
Language: English
Subfield: Rehabilitation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1844149784