Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Yapracık Geriatri ve Psikososyal Rehabilitasyon Merkezi, Ankara
AyaÅŸ Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi, Ankara
Başkent Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı - Ankara Functional outcome measures, index of comorbid diseases, number of drugs used, onset to admission and length of hospital stay were analysed in elderly stroke patients. The results were compared with younger hemiplegic group. One hundred and four patients (mean age 61±12.3 years) were analysed retrospectively and divided into two groups according to their age. In group-I there was 50 patients over 65 years old and 54 patients under 65 years old were in group-II. No differences were found in mean PULSES profiles and functional ambulation stages between two groups. Functional ambulation stages at discharge were significantly higher than at admission for both groups (p<0.05). Mean index of comorbid diseases was significantly higher in elderly patients, but the number of drugs used, length of hospital stay and onset to admission were not differ. The only observed relationship was between PULSES profile and functional ambulation stages. It was concluded that age, by itself, cannot be considered as a prognostic indicator of rehabilitation outcome. To assess the influence of comorbid diseases on rehabilitation outcome, a new valid and reliable comorbidity measure for stroke patients must be developed. Keywords : Cerebrovascular accident, Comorbidity