Objective: The purposes of this study were to examine overall quality of life (QOL) in long term stroke survivals and to identify variables that predict QOL after stroke.

Method: Subjects were 51 stroke patients (male; 28, female; 23) with stroke onset at least 6 months previously. Interview, measurement of depression and QOL were performed at outpatient clinic after discharge. Review of medical records included characteristics of stroke and communication disorders. Interview questionnare included caregiver, religion, education level, occupation and income. Depression and functional status was measured by the Beck depression inventory (BDI) and modified Barthel index (MBI), respectively. QOL was measured with the use of 5-item (activity, daily living, health, support, outlook) version of the Quality of Life Index (QLI) and its range of scores is 0∼10. We compared QLI scores according to various factors obtained from medical records and questionnaire.

Results: Mean duration after onset of stroke was 33.6 months (range, 6∼216 months). The mean score of QLI were 7.0⁑2.1. Low MBI score, communication disorder and depression had a negative effect on QOL (p＜0.05). Sex, age, occupation, caregivers, religion, education level, income, duration after stroke onset and side of hemiplegia had no effect on QOL (p＞0.05).

Conclusion: Low MBI score, depression and communication disorders would be negative predictors of QOL and identification of these factor may assist stroke patients in coping their personal and social life.

The purpose of this study was to collect the informations on the current status and the needs of the physically disabled elderlies in the rural community along with the prevalence rate of these population. One study group for the study of disability status evaluation was 139 physically disabled elderlies living in the main island of Kangwha, and the other group for the study on prevalence of disability was 542 elderlies living in Songhae myun. The prevalence of physical disability was 6.5% in Songhae myun. The neurologic disorder was the most frequent diagnosis among the physically disabled elderlies followed by the musculoskeletal disorder. The time for the medical service delivery was delayed; 45.3% of the subjects received medical service more than one month after the onset of disability. Only 18.0% of the disabled elderlies received the public disability service, and 15.8% of the subjects was waiting for further service. The most common need from the subjects was the medical service, followed by the service from the institution such as a nursing home and the financial support. Registration rate of the disabled was very low(7.7%). There were only three physical therapists for the rehabilitation services in studies areas.

This study revealed that the public concepts for the disability and the rehabiltation service were inadequate. We hope that this basic data can be used for the planning of rehabilitation services in this community.