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Final Program


Final Program

1326 - Impact of stroke and spasticity on quality of life – An online study conducted among patients and caregivers living in the United States of America

Friday, February 28, 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM MST
Objectives: Stroke is the second-leading cause of death and the third-leading cause of death and disability combined worldwide. Hemiparesis and spasticity are common co-occurring consequences of strokes. This observational survey aimed to give patients and their caregivers the opportunity to express their experience about post stroke spasticity and its impact on quality of life (QoL).

Design: US data were collected via the online patient platform Carenity by Else Care from July to November 2023. Online surveys were completed by adults who suffered a stroke with hemiparesis in the previous 12 months, or their caregiver when relevant, and recorded into an electronic case report form. Survey questionnaires had 4 parts: screener; sociodemographic and medical profile; patient journey with stroke and spasticity; and impact of stroke on patients’ QoL. QoL was assessed using a shortened version of the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QoL).

Results: Of 283 survey respondents (78.1% patients; 21.9% caregivers), 54.8% were male; mean age was 49.6 years; mean age at first stroke was 47.0 years. Half of respondents had their social life impacted by their physical condition; 81.9% reported some trouble to total inability to do daily work around the house; 48% did not receive or would have liked to receive more information regarding spasticity. The overall mean SS-QoL score was 2.5 (ranging from 0 - the worst possible QoL - to 5 - the best possible QoL). Respondents from the caregiver group also reported having a more severe impact of stroke on their lives compared to respondents from the patient group. Their physical condition interfered more severely with their social life and they were more likely to feel like a burden to their families.

Conclusions: These survey-based outcomes from patients and caregivers in a real-world setting corroborate an important impact of stroke and its related spasticity on quality of life.