Factors Affecting Stroke-Specific Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Pakistani Adults with Post-Stroke Aphasia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Aphasia is a language disorder which usually acquired in adulthood. It not only affects spoken language but also disrupts the ability to comprehend others’ speech, as well as reading and writing skills. Objective: The objective of current study was to determine the stroke-specific quality of life among aphasic middle-aged adults. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional survey design. The study setting was Mayo Hospital, General Hospital, Services Hospital, Sheikh Zaid Hospital, PSRD and Ghurkhi Trust and Teaching Hospital. The duration of this study was six months. A sample size of 243 was calculated through an online sample size calculator. The sampling technique was purposive sampling technique. The inclusion criteria of this study were Post Stroke middle-aged adults (males and females) according to WHO age range classification, the patients with one month and more than one-month stroke history, and the adults who are able to respond independently. Participants with all stroke types were included in this current study. The exclusion criteria of this study were post stroke middle-aged adults that had cognitive decline. The data was collected via SSQOL (Stroke Specific Quality of Life) tool. SPSS Software was used for data analysis descriptive statistics calculation was used for demographic information and to assess all variables to find out the significant effects of stroke on quality of life of aphasic middle age adults. Frequency and percentages determined for all the variables. Results: In this study (N = 243) impact of stroke on quality of life of middle-aged adults were examined, the results showed that age of maximum participants who suffered stroke was 60 with the frequency of 30 and most of the participants lie between the age range of 40 to 60 with the frequency of 10 and 20. The data revealed that females constituted a larger proportion of population than male with the frequency of approximately 150 and 100 respectively (58.4% female, 41.6% male). Most of the participants have Broca’s and Wernicke’s aphasia with the frequency of approximately 90 and 95 respectively. Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SSQOL) tool used to assess the quality of life of stroke survivors. The investigation demonstrated that participants with the stroke had 51% language impairment, 68% self, 69% mobility, 63% social role and 80% work difficulties. These findings showed that stroke negatively impacts the individual’s quality of life. Conclusion: This study showed that they experience greater difficulties with language, mobility, social role, and work which negatively influence their ability to maintain independence, social roles and emotional well-being and they have the least difficulty with vision and family roles. Aphasia was a significant barrier impacting their social participation and functional communication.