Abstract
McLean DE. Medical complications experienced by a cohort of stroke survivors during
inpatient, tertiary-level stroke rehabilitation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:466–9.
Objective
To identify the most common medical complications experienced by stroke survivors
during inpatient, tertiary-level stroke rehabilitation.
Design
Prospective, descriptive analysis.
Setting
A tertiary-level, 23-bed, inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Participants
All stroke survivors (N=133) admitted for tertiary-level stroke rehabilitation during
a 1-year period.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main outcome measures
The attending physiatrist determined the presence or absence of specific complications
during the interdisciplinary team conference held during the week of discharge for
each patient.
Results
The 4 most common medical complications were depression (26%), shoulder pain (24%),
falls (20%), and urinary tract infection (UTI) (15%). Other less common complications
included back and hip pain (5%), gastrointestinal disturbances (4%), and pneumonia
(2%). Seizures, pressure ulcers, and shoulder-hand syndrome each occurred in 1.5%
of the population.
Conclusions
Depression, shoulder pain, falls, and UTIs are common complications experienced by
stroke survivors during inpatient rehabilitation. Heightened awareness of these potential
complications may lead to prevention or to earlier recognition and improved management
of these conditions.
Keywords
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Copyright
© 2004 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
