The Quality of Life of Stroke Outpatients at Srinagarind Hospital
Karnchanasri Singhpoo MSc*, Somsak Tiamkao MD**, Chusri Kuchaisit MSc***, Sukanda Ariyanuchitkul MSc*, Sasithorn Sangpongsanon BSc****, Supot Kamsa-ard BSc*, Watsana Chantachume BSc*****
Affiliation : * Community Medicine Service Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Nursing Division, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand **** Social Work Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand ***** Medical Record and Statistic Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Stroke, a disease of the cerebral blood vessels, is known as paralysis disease in Thailand and is
a major public health problem. Stroke is a chronic disease with a lengthy development, leading to a paralytic
state in which the patient faces obstacles doing his/her daily routine and needs to depend upon others.
Expenses are for both in hospital treatment and homecare. A study on the quality of life of stroke outpatients
was conducted in order to plan assistance to patients, both at the family and health service unit level. The
present study represents the first of its kind performed at Srinagarind Hospital.
Objective : To study the quality of life of stroke outpatients at Srinagarind Hospital.
Study
Results : Descriptive research.
Material and Method: A questionnaire was constructed by the researchers, the content and methodology of
which was checked by experts. The first section collects personal information and the second the quality of life
using the SF-36 rating scale, which has been used on many chronic patients in ten different countries and both
the English and Thai versions who have undergone validity testing.
Results : The stroke outpatients were between 20 and 91 years of age (mean, 64 + 12.8). Most (31.6%) were
diagnosed with cerebral infarction, with a Modified Rankin Score of 1. Concurrent diseases included
hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes, respectively. The quality of life was relatively good in all tested
aspects. The highest scoring category was mental health and role emotional, which accounted for 69.5 and
68.0 percentage, respectively. The worst two categories reported were vitality and general health, both
accounting for 60.0%, which had an impact on self esteem, exacerbated if the patients felt tired, exhausted
and/or believed their lives were becoming worse.
Conclusion : The present study can be used to improve the management of stroke out-patient services. It is
recommended that a healthcare team be set up at the hospital clinic to provide assistance for dealing with
both feelings and emotions.
Keywords : SF-36, Quality of life, Stroke, Outpatient
