Quality of life after right hemisphere stroke from patients and proxies perspective

Introduction
The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients after right hemisphere stroke in self- and proxy-assessment. The second aim was to determine important stroke related factors associated with HRQOL in patient and proxy perspective as well with disagreement between their responses.

Material and methods
In this study participated 50 patients (21 females) after right hemisphere stroke (mean age M = 66.82 years, SD = 9.28). In order to investigate HRQOL two scales were used – shorter version of WHOQOL-BREF and Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQOL). Functional status and motor function was assed using Barthel Index, Lovett Scale and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Cognitive functioning was measured using MoCA, Behavioural Inattention Test, awareness of deficits based on Bisiach procedure and Catherine Bergego Scale.

Results
Proxies assessed the QOL as significantly lower than patients themselves. The correlation between this disagreement and factors related to patients state were observed. Predictor of differences in the selected domains of HRQOL was cognitive status. Predictor of patients self-assessment was the strength of hemiplegia. In proxies ratings many relations with patients performance were observed. Predictor was patient’s disability (Barthel Index). Proxies of patients with neglect assessed their HRQOL as lower.

Conclusions
Different factors determinate HRQOL in patient and proxy assessment. Proxy assessment of patient’s HRQOL was to greater extent associated with factors describing patients state and their functioning in comparison with self-assessment.