Can Stroke Fast Track Improve Quality of Life of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke?
Tiamkao S, MD1,4, Pearkao C, PhD2, Yubolchit N, MSc3
Affiliation : 1 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 2 Department of Adult, Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 3 Phon Thong Hospital, Roi-Et, Thailand 4 Integrated Epilepsy Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To investigate the relationship between the attaining of the stroke fast track system and the quality of life (QOL) of the
patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
Materials and Methods : This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted with a group of 190 participants, who had been
diagnosed with AIS. The QOL was evaluated by Thai version of the stroke specific quality of life (SSQOL). The QOL was classified into
three levels: “good”, “moderate”, and “low”.
Results : Most of AIS patients had a QOL at a “good” level. The demographic data indicated that most of the AIS were males with a mean
age of 62 years old. The AIS, who reported to have had attended regular follow-up appointments between the range of 6 months to
2 years, were found to have a “good” QOL (68.95%), while the 30.53% was observed to be at the “moderate” level. It was shown that
the factors affecting the QOL of the AIS patients had been the stroke fast track system and receiving thrombolytic treatment. These
two factors were found to be associated with the QOL at a significance of p<0.001. Additional factors included the following: marital
status, levels of education, occupation, follow-up appointments, and the attainable times for home health care, and these were found
to be significant at p<0.05.
Conclusion : The AIS patients were able to attain a “good” QOL under the circumstances when the stroke fast track system and
clinical practice guidelines (CPG) were deployed.
Keywords : Quality of life, Stroke fast track system, Acute ischemic stroke
