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Predictors of functional outcome and resource utilization in inpatient rehabilitation.

Consecutive patients (n = 1,289) discharged from two inpatient rehabilitation facilities were prospectively examined to determine the extent to which rehabilitative outcomes, functionally based progress, and associated resource utilization (in terms of rehabilitation length of stay) can be concomitantly predicted using the Tufts/New England Medical Center functional assessment tool and bivariate and multivariate statistical comparisons. A high percentage (greater than 50%) of statistically significant associations between the predictor variables and seven outcome measures were seen. The R2s corresponding to these associations were generally small and resistant to enhancement by commonly accepted statistical manipulations. Consequently, they are, in general, of limited predictive value for determining functional prognosis or resource utilization among rehabilitation inpatients. Although functionally based predictors appear to be the best predictors of functional progress, their effectiveness as predictors of other domains (eg, discharge outcome and rehabilitation length of stay) is variable. The implication is that a prospective payment system using such an array of predictors and directed primarily at cost containment is likely to overlook potentially important gains in functional progress and patient outcome. Furthermore, the functionally based predictors, taken individually, varied in effectiveness as predictors among facilities, and, taken collectively, they varied in effectiveness as predictors for different diagnostic groupings within a facility. The inconsistency of predictions according to the various domains appears to further limit their application to a prospective payment model.

Activities of Daily Living

Sarcoma therapy: functional outcome and relationship to treatment parameters.

PURPOSE: To systematically assess the functional outcome of patients treated with surgery and irradiation for extremity or truncal sarcomas, and to correlate this outcome with a detailed analysis of the radiation dose distribution and surgical technique. Conservative surgery and radiation therapy (RT) are known to provide excellent local control, but the relationship of technique to functional outcome requires further study. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-one patients were treated for lower extremity (25 patients, 61%), upper extremity (8 patients, 19.5%), and truncal (8, 19.5%) sarcomas from 1983 to 1990. Most patients had malignant fibrous histiocytoma (15), liposarcoma (8), or aggressive fibromatosis (6). Age ranged from 13 to 85 years (median 54). All patients received RT and 39 (95%) had surgery. The mean total RT dose was 59 Gy (range 55.8-64.8 Gy). A protocol for functional assessment was devised and included a 4 point scale (0-3) for each of seven functional parameters (range of motion, fibrosis, edema, pain, skin changes, muscle strength, gait, or upper extremity performance). An aggregate score was obtained by adding the seven parameter scores and compared with both a patient and physician overall functional rating score (excellent, good, fair, poor). Based on this analysis, aggregate scores were defined as < or = 3 = excellent, < or = 8 = good, < or = 13 = fair, and > 13 = poor, with 21 as the worst possible score. The same orthopaedic surgeon and radiation oncologist independently examined and rated 22 patients. An additional 17 patients were evaluated by record review. The median time from completion of radiation therapy was 30.5 months (range 7-95 months). A computerized radiation therapy dosimetric analysis was performed on 34 patients. RESULTS: Local control was achieved in 39 patients (95%), including 6 with aggressive fibromatosis. The mean functional outcome score was 5.1 with a range of 0-16. 34 patients (83%) had good or excellent functional outcomes. The rating system demonstrated minimal interobserver variability. There was a positive relationship between volume irradiated to > or = 55 Gy and functional score, strength, fibrosis, and skin changes. Total dose independent of volume was significantly associated with skin changes. Increasing peak dose (hot spot dose) was associated with fibrosis and skin changes. More fibrosis developed as the volume of the peak dose increased. A portion of the joint was treated in 5/33 extremity patients and the entire joint in 24/33 (mean dose 55.8 Gy, range 45-65 Gy). Neither range of motion nor total functional score was correlated with joint dose. Edema and functional score were not related to either the volume or percent of limb spared (receiving < or = 40 Gy). The physician functional status ratings generally concurred with patient self-assessments. CONCLUSIONS: A system for functional assessment has been developed which is easily performed and provides detailed information about patient functional outcome. This system can be used to evaluate the morbidity of combined modality sarcoma therapy. Doses up to 65 Gy, even over joint spaces, are not associated with significant morbidity. Only a small volume treated to < or = 40 Gy is required to maintain good outcome. The most important parameter appears to be the volume treated to > or = 55 Gy.

Adolescent

Cosmetic and functional outcomes of breast conserving treatment for early stage breast cancer. 2. Relationship with psychosocial functioning.

The relationship between cosmetic and functional results of breast conserving therapy and psychosocial functioning was examined in a sample of 76 patients with early stage breast cancer, who received treatment between 1975 and 1985. The patients were interviewed at their homes regarding breast cosmesis, arm functioning and psychosocial health, and subsequently attended the hospital for independent assessment of cosmetic and functional outcomes by clinical observers. High levels of psychological distress, disturbance of body image, and decreased sexual functioning were noted in approximately one-quarter of the study sample. About half of the patients expressed heightened concern with disease recurrence and their future health. Psychosocial problems were only modestly associated with treatment-related cosmetic and functional outcomes, as determined by clinical ratings and objective assessments. The patients' own ratings of breast cosmesis and arm functioning exhibited somewhat higher correlations with self-reported psychosocial functioning. In particular, a significant association was noted between the patients' ratings of overall cosmesis and arm edema and their body image (r = 0.48 and r = 0.43, respectively). The association between cosmetic and functional results and self-reported psychosocial health was strongest among those patients younger in age and treated longer ago. These findings suggest that, in order to evaluate the impact of breast conserving therapy on the patients' quality of life, the patients' own assessments of cosmetic and functional outcomes should be used as a primary source of information.

Adult

Blood pressure management after endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: association with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and functional outcome at 3&#xa0;months.

BACKGROUND: No clear consensus exists on ideal systolic blood pressure (SBP) targets after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) following an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study investigated the association between SBP parameters within the first 24&#xa0;h after EVT and 3-month functional outcomes and the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). METHODS: We retrospectively collected and prospectively followed clinical, and radiological data for patients undergoing EVT for AIS from 2016 to 2024, including 2-hourly BP measurements during the first 24&#xa0;h and SBP variability assessed by standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV). Outcomes included 3-month functional status and sICH, and their associations with post-EVT BP metrics were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 268 post EVT patients were included with a median age of 61&#xa0;years (IQR, 51-69). Mean SBP was 129.67&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;17.17&#xa0;mm Hg, with SBP variability (SD 12.6&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;5.4&#xa0;mm Hg; CV 9.6&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;3.8&#xa0;%), while good functional outcome and sICH occurred in 39.7&#xa0;% and 4.9&#xa0;% of patients, respectively. Multivariate regression showed that higher admission NIHSS&#xa0;(>15) [0.90 (95&#xa0;%CI, [0.86, 0.95], p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.000)], recanalization status [1.88 (95&#xa0;%CI, [1.43, 2.48], p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.00)], and SBP-CV&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;10 [0.44 (95&#xa0;%CI, [0.2, 0.94], p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.036)] was independently associated with poor 3-month functional outcome, while higher admission NIHSS (>15) [0.87 (95&#xa0;%CI, [0.77,0.98], p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.02)] and diabetes [0.12 (95&#xa0;%CI, [0.03, 0.54], p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.006)] predicted increased risk of sICH. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that reduced BP variability during the first 24&#xa0;h post-EVT was associated with better 3-month functional outcomes. A clear association between SBP and sICH risk was not demonstrated.

Humans

Brain Health Loss Mediates the Effect of Infarct Volume on Functional Outcome in Ischemic Stroke.

IMPORTANCE: Brain health may facilitate resilience to detrimental consequences from neurological diseases. Infarct volume is associated with poor functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but potential mediating effects through stroke-related brain health loss have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether stroke-related brain health loss, quantified by change in MRI derived effective Reserve (eR), mediates the effect of acute infarct volume on functional outcome after AIS. DESIGN: Observational multicenter cohort study. SETTING: We analyzed data from the GASROS (n=488) and MRI-GENIE (n=560) cohorts, collected 2003-2011. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients consecutively diagnosed with AIS, with available admission MRI. EXPOSURE: At admission, white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and normal-appearing brain volumes were assessed on T2-FLAIR, and acute infarct volume on diffusion weighted imaging. WMH was normalized by brain volume, creating WMH load. We quantified brain health using eR, a latent variable incorporating age, WMH load, and normal-appearing brain volume. &#x394;eR reflected the change in eR when acute infarct volume was included, representing stroke-related brain health decline. Mediation analysis was used to determine if &#x394;eR mediates the effect of infarct volume on functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] at 90 days). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Proportion of mediating effect. RESULTS: We included 1,048 patients (median age 67y, 38% females). At baseline, median NIHSS score was 3 (IQR 1-7), median infarct volume 3.1mL (IQR 0.9-15.5). At 90 days, median mRS score was 1 (IQR 1-3) and 51 (5%) patients had died. In mediation analysis, &#x394;eR significantly mediated 36% (95% CI 16-56%) of the total effect of infarct volume on functional outcome (direct effect (&#xdf;=0.15 [95% CI 0.09-0.22], p<0.001; indirect effect mediated through &#x394;eR: &#xdf;=0.09 [95% CI 0.04 to 0.14], p=0.001). In subgroup-analyses, the mediative effect was apparent among female but not male, and among patients aged >67y but not &#x2264;67y. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Stroke-related structural brain health loss mediates about one third of the effect of acute infarct volume on functional outcome after ischemic stroke, with important sex and age differences. Brain health significantly influences outcome and recovery potential, and may be considered a key biomarker when modeling outcome after AIS.

acute ischemic stroke

Prognostic value of the Island sign for hematoma expansion and functional outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The Island Sign (IS) is a radiological finding observed in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between IS and both hematoma expansion (HE) and functional outcomes by comparing ICH patients with and without IS. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library for studies of intracerebral hemorrhage reporting the IS. The primary outcomes were functional status and hematoma expansion, secondary outcome was mortality. Statistical analysis was performed using RStudio, effect sizes were calculated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CIs), and heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics. In addition, meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were performed, and publication bias was assessed through funnel plots and Egger's regression test. RESULTS: We included 21 observational studies with a total of 9,459 patients with spontaneous ICH, 1,769 of them had IS, while 7,690 did not. The mean age was 63.5&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;13.2 and 5,835 (61.7%) were male. Poor functional outcomes (OR 2.77, 95% CI: 2.14-3.58, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.0001, I2&#xa0;=&#xa0;4.9%) and hematoma expansion (OR 2.75, 95% CI: 1.87-4.03, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.0001, I2&#xa0;=&#xa0;77.4%) were substantially higher in patients with IS, as well as the overall mortality rate (OR 2.54, 95% CI: 1.55-4.17, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.0002, I2&#xa0;=&#xa0;0%). Meta-regression analysis showed no statistically significant association between imaging-related timing variables and hematoma expansion. Furthermore, the leave-one-out sensitivity analyses showed that no single study exerted a disproportionate influence on the overall effect for the examined outcomes, and Egger's linear regression tests were not statistically significant for both outcomes. CONCLUSION: Patients with the Island Sign are associated with higher rates of poor functional outcomes and hematoma expansion. Thus, IS is a relevant radiological finding with potential to support early risk stratification and optimize patient management and treatment selection.

Humans

Functional outcome measures in stroke rehabilitation.

I examine statistical considerations in the analysis of functional outcome following stroke and discuss the mathematical relation between improvement in function and discharge functional score. I demonstrate mathematically that the predictor variables of improvement and discharge functional score are the same and that the regression coefficients for improvement and discharge functional score will be equal, except for the admission functional score, for which a mathematically defined relation exists. I argue that the relation between admission functional score and discharge functional score must be positive and strong and that the relation between admission functional score and improvement must be negative for the stroke population. I believe that an ignorance of statistical concepts, especially confounding, and of the differences between raw correlations, partial correlations, and predictors have led to much confusion in functional outcome research.

Cerebrovascular Disorders

[Relationship between extent of brain hypoperfused area and functional outcome in patients with a small subcortical infarction: evaluation with X-ray CT, 123I-IMP cerebral perfusion SPECT and cerebral angiography].

We performed 123I-IMP single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in 43 patients who had a small infarction (less than 2 cm) in subcortical area and who were less than 1 month after onset of stroke. Hypoperfused area of brain was qualitatively assessed and was compared with functional outcome at 6-month after the stroke and the cerebral angiogram. Functional outcome was poorer in patients who had wider hypoperfused area in brain (chi 2 = 29.3; p less than 0.001). The extent of brain hypoperfused area showed a positive correlation with the degree of stenosis in the extracranial and/or intracranial arteries (r = 0.61; p less than 0.01). In patients who had no angiographic abnormality, the extent and the location of the hypoperfused area were equivalent to that of the low density area in CT. Thus 123I-IMP SPECT in patients with a small infarction may discriminate lacunar infarction from embolic or hemodynamic infarction, which was caused by vascular lesions of major cerebral arteries, in subcortical area. Our study suggests that functional outcome is better in lacunar infarction than embolic or hemodynamic infarction in subcortical area.

Aged

Functional outcome of pediatric trauma patients identified as 'non-salvageable survivors'.

A retrospective study of 305 pediatric trauma patients seen over 17 months was undertaken to evaluate the functional outcome of patients categorized as "non-salvageable survivors" (NSS). Functional outcome was determined by Denver Developmental Screen Tests (DDST) for children less than 5 years of age and Rappaport Severity Rating Scale (RDRS) for those 5 years old and older. Each patient was assigned Abbreviated Injury Scores (AIS). Injury Severity Score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and Trauma Score (TS). The total number of patients classified as severe was 65 (21%), and 13 were classified as non-salvageable, with seven non-salvageable survivors and six non-preventable deaths. Our study suggests that current trauma scoring systems tend to overestimate the non-salvageable population. Those identified as non-salvageable and who survived have a high probability of meaningful functional recovery. Current trauma scoring systems are in need of revision to better identify non-salvageable survivors and those children who will not make a meaningful neurologic recovery.

Activities of Daily Living

CT, somatosensory and brainstem auditory evoked potentials in the early prediction of functional outcome in putaminal hemorrhage.

The CT and median somatosensory and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (SEP and BAEP) were studied in 80 patients with spontaneous putaminal hemorrhage for their values in the early prediction of functional outcome. The CT scan was performed within 2 days and EPs within a week after the onset of symptoms. The activities of daily living was assessed at 6 months. Patients with good functional recovery had the following findings: 1) the hemorrhage had not involved the thalamus or the posterior limb of the internal capsule; 2) the SEPs were normal or had prolonged central conduction time; and 3) the BAEP was normal. When the cortical SEPs were absent, the majority of patients were moderately or severely disabled. Attenuation or absence of BAEP wave V always forecast a grave prognosis. It is concluded that the combined use of CT, SEP and BAEP is an objective and reliable method for the early prediction of functional outcome in patients with putaminal hemorrhage.

Activities of Daily Living

Early-stage trajectories of social-occupational functioning and long-term functional outcome prediction in early psychosis: A 12-year follow-up of the randomized controlled trial on extended early intervention.

BACKGROUND: Functional impairment in psychosis often persists despite symptomatic remission. There is a paucity of research examining early-course psychosocial functioning trajectories, and none has been conducted to examine relationship between the trajectories and prospective long-term functional outcomes in early psychosis sample. METHODS: We conducted 12-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial on extended early intervention for first-episode psychosis to identify early-course social-occupational functioning trajectories and their baseline predictors and associations with 12-year outcomes. Participants who completed Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFAS) scores at three or more timepoints between baseline and 3-year follow-up were included in the study. Premorbid adjustment, illness characteristics, symptom severity, functioning, and treatment profiles were assessed. Latent growth mixture modeling was employed to derive early-course social-occupational functioning trajectories based on SOFAS scores over 3-year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 148 participants were included in this study, with 106 patients having completed the 12-year follow-up. Our results identified four distinct trajectories, including persistently-good class, gradually-improved class, suboptimal-stable class, and persistently-poor class. Patients in persistently-poor class had more severe negative symptoms at baseline compared to patients in persistently-good class. Patients with persistently-poor trajectory had worse long-term outcomes than those with other classes in the majority of functional measures at 12-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients were classified in early-stage suboptimal or poor functional trajectories. Above one-fourth of the participants exhibited persistently-poor social-occupational functioning trajectory, which predicted worse functional outcomes at 12-year follow-up. These findings highlighted the importance of tracking functional changes during the initial years of illness.

Humans

Survival and functional outcome of children with severe cerebral palsy following gastrostomy.

Survival, functional outcome, care setting, early and late complications, and caregiver satisfaction were determined in 61 children with severe cerebral palsy requiring gastrostomies during a six-year period. Fifty-three (87%) of the initial gastrostomies included a Nissen fundoplication. Early and late complications were 32.8% and 39.3%, respectively. Survival after initial surgery was 84.2% at one year, and 67.6% at four years. One child died within one month of surgery. Seventy percent of the children remained totally dependent in self-care, mobility, and communication; an additional 29% had significant limitations in function. Only 4 children (6.5%) ultimately became independent in feeding. Ninety-three percent of the children were cared for at home. Ninety-four percent of the parents/caregivers believed the gastrostomy was beneficial in management of the child. Survival was unexpectedly high compared to studies of adults and mentally retarded children requiring similar surgical procedures.

Activities of Daily Living

Purified canine islet autografts. Functional outcome as influenced by islet number and implantation site.

Using a modification of the basic principles of pancreatic intraductal collagenase digestion and density gradient purification to isolate canine islets, in conjunction with simultaneous fluorogenic and dithizone islet staining, we quantified the yield, purity, and viability of the isolated islets. We then determined the combined influences of total and weight-corrected islet counts and implantation site on immediate and long-term functional outcome of purified canine islet autografts. Weight-corrected islet counts were 100% sensitive and specific in differentiating successful and unsuccessful islet autografts implanted to the liver (n = 10) and spleen (n = 10) of pancreatectomized dogs. The threshold number of islets required to achieve normoglycemia in the liver (4400 islets/kg) and spleen (4650 islets/kg) were nearly identical. Islet autografts failed to ameliorate hyperglycemia when implanted to the renal subcapsular space (n = 5) at counts of 4400 to 5500 islets/kg. The mean one- and three-month intravenous glucose tolerance test K-values of dogs with purified islet autografts to the liver (-1.43 +/- 0.27 and -1.69 +/- 0.27, respectively) and spleen (-1.78 +/- 0.36 and -1.64 +/- 0.3, respectively) were also similar. Time needed to achieve normoglycemia , however, was significantly (P less than 0.02) shorter for intrahepatic islets (1.0 +/- 0.0 days posttransplant) than intrasplenic islets (6.8 +/- 2.3 days posttransplant). The long-term durability of islet autograft function was not unlimited. Overall, thirteen canine islet autograft recipients have been followed for greater than or equal to 12 months posttransplant (range 12-18 months), seven canine islet autograft recipients (five intrahepatic and two intrasplenic) have had spontaneous recurrence of hyperglycemia at 2, 6, 11, 13, 14, 8, and 16 months, respectively. The phenomenon depended only on the number of islets implanted. The data underscore the significance of quantitatively defined islet preparations and the importance of islet number and implantation site on immediate and long-term functional outcome of canine islet autografts.

Animals

Adult Hirschsprung's disease. Clinical features and functional outcome after surgery.

To assess the clinical features and long-term functional outcome after surgery, eight patients operated on for adult Hirschsprung's disease during the 20-year period, 1968-1988, were re-examined. There were six men and two women with a mean age of 40 +/- 3 years at the time of survey. The mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 23.8 years (range, 16 to 41 years). Results were compared with eight consecutive patients operated on for Hirschsprung's disease during the neonatal period. The Duhamel operation was performed initially on seven patients in the adult group and on all patients in the neonatal group. Anterior resection was performed on one adult patient initially but this was converted subsequently to Soave's pull-through operation. None of the patients had constipation after definitive surgery. The mean defecation frequency was two in both groups. Three patients in the adult group and two patients in the neonatal group were completely continent, others had occasional soiling. The mean anal sphincter pressures were lower in the neonatal group than in the adult group and in each group lower than in normal controls. Adult Hirschsprung's disease must always be suspected in the context of chronic constipation. Functional results after surgery in adult patients are similar to those achieved in children.

Adult

Functional outcome in patients treated with surgery and irradiation for soft tissue tumours.

One hundred five consecutive patients underwent surgical resection and adjuvant irradiation in treatment of soft tissue sarcoma or aggressive fibromatosis. All patients were entered in a prospective study evaluating functional outcome and 88 patients were examined at 12 months following surgery. Outcome was characterized using the Enneking system as well as documenting employment/recreational status and limb edema. Sixty-eight of 88 patients had functional scores of 21 or better (out of a possible total of 35). Forty-four patients were serially evaluated at 12 and 24 months and there was no difference in their outcome at the 2 time points. Univariate analysis demonstrated that large tumour size, postoperative complications, and neural sacrifice were associated with poor functional outcome.

Adolescent

The effect of malunion on functional outcome after plate fixation of fractures of both bones of the forearm in adults.

Fifty-five adults who had a fracture of both bones of the forearm were managed with plating and were followed for a mean of six years (range, one year to sixteen years and two months) with functional and radiographic assessment. Malunion was quantified by measurement of the amount and location of the maximum radial bow in relation to the contralateral, normal forearm. Fifty-four of the radial and fifty-four of the ulnar fractures united. Eighty-four per cent of the patients had an excellent, good, or acceptable functional result, according to the criteria of Grace and Eversmann. Bone-grafting did not affect the rate of union. Restoration of the normal radial bow was related to the functional outcome. A good functional result (more than 80 per cent of normal rotation of the forearm) was associated with restoration of the normal amount and location of the radial bow (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.005). Similarly, the recovery of grip strength was associated with restoration of the location of the radial bow toward normal (p less than 0.005).

Adolescent

Primary intracerebral haemorrhage in the Jyväskylä region, central Finland, 1985-89: incidence, case fatality rate, and functional outcome.

The age and sex specific incidence rates, the case fatality rates, and the functional outcome of patients with primary intracerebral haemorrhage occurring in a population of 116,000 during a period of four years four months are presented. A total of 158 patients were identified, the diagnosis was confirmed in 78% by CT, and in 22% by necropsy. The crude annual incidence rate was 31/100,000 population, the age specific rates increased from two to 222/100,000 from the age of 30-39 to over 80 years. Men had higher incidence rates between the ages of 40 and 79 years. The short term case fatality rate was high, 27% of patients dying during the first day after onset of symptoms, and 50% were dead at 30 days. After the first month the probability of survival did not differ from an age- and sex-matched average population. Large haematoma volume had an adverse effect on the short term, old age (greater than 70 years) on the long term survival. Ventricular extension, especially when combined with hydrocephalus was a bad omen for short term survival. Infratentorial and large basal ganglionic haematomas, and primary intraventricular haemorrhage carried a worse prognosis than haematomas of other locations. At the end of a median 32 month follow up 55 (35%) of the patients were alive, 51% of these were independent in activities of daily living, 45% were dependent on outside help, and 4% needed constant nursing care. Old age (greater than 70 years), but not the haematoma volume or location, was associated with a poor functional recovery.

Adult

Functional outcomes of children with sickle-cell disease affected by stroke.

The nature and degree of functional recovery after stroke in children with sickle-cell disease (SCD) has not been extensively investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the functional status of 14 SCD children who had had strokes and to compare them with age-matched and gender-matched SCD children who had not had strokes. By doing so, we would be able to quantify the eventual physical and cognitive functional outcomes of survivors of stroke secondary to SCD and assess the impact of stroke on these patients. These children (five boys and nine girls) with SCD and stroke(s) were 11.6 +/- 4.3 years of age (range five to 18 years). They experienced one to three strokes at a mean age of 6.1 +/- 5.2 years (range one to 17 years). A series of tests were administered to these subjects to evaluate physical and psychosocial functions. These tests were performed at least one year after the latest stroke. This study showed that all of the SCD-stroke children were physically independent. Only a few had impairments of hand functions and mild difficulties in self-care activities. However, most of these children demonstrated intellectual deficits ranging from borderline to moderate mental retardation, reduced language functions ranging from low normal to retarded range, and problems in adjustment. Intelligence quotient of the children with SCD-stroke(s) was significantly lower than those of age-matched and gender-matched nonstroke SCD children, suggesting that stroke caused an adverse effect on the cognitive functioning of these children. The results indicate that in the SCD-stroke children psychosocial deficits outweighed physical disabilities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activities of Daily Living