Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases, including stroke. Moreover, physical inactivity before stroke is associated with stroke severity, which, in turn, can cause disability. However, it remains unclear whether physical inactivity before stroke is associated with dependency in basic activities of daily living (ADL).
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether physical inactivity before stroke influences ADL dependency 3 months after stroke.
This longitudinal study was based on data from three Swedish registries. Patients with acute stroke who were admitted to the Sahlgrenska University Hospital between 9 November 2014 and 30 June 2019 were included in the study. Baseline data were collected from the three stroke units, and self-reported questionnaires were used to collect 3-month follow-up data. Physical inactivity before stroke was the primary independent variable that was self-reported using the Saltin–Grimby physical activity level scale. ADL dependency was a composite measure of three tasks: mobility, dressing, and toilet use. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to explain the association between physical inactivity before stroke and basic ADL 3 months after stroke.
In total, 3,472 patients were included in the study. The median age was 75 years, 49% of the patients were physically inactive before stroke, and 75% had a mild stroke. ADL dependency at follow-up was reported to be 32%. Physically inactive patients, compared with physically active patients, had 2.35 times higher odds for ADL dependency 3 months after stroke (odds ratio 2.30 [95% CI 1.89 – 2.80]). The model correctly classified 84% of the patients (the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.84 [95% CI, 0.83 – 0.86]).
The findings of this study suggest that physical inactivity before stroke is associated with dependency in basic ADL 3 months after stroke. In addition, older age, female sex, pre-stroke living conditions, need for help, previous stroke, and admission stroke severity are significant contributors to dependency.