Stroke outcomes in Croatian and Bulgarian patients measured by modified Rankin scale

The purpose of the study was to measure functional outcomes of stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation in Croatia and Bulgaria using modified Rankin scale (mRS) as a clinician-reported measure of global disability. Fewer days are allowed for rehabilitation in Bulgaria than in Croatia according to the payers’ rules, and the aim of the study was to assess the impact of length of stay to the progress of patients. Data on 50 stroke patients from each of two countries were analyzed that were matched by gender, age at stroke, days from stroke to the onset of rehabilitation, type, side and severity of stroke, co-morbidity and the programme of rehabilitation. Initial and final mRS results and the change (progress) of patients` functional abilities and lengths of stay of both groups were recorded. Both groups presented with lower mRS results at rehabilitation onset (4.06±1.02 in Croatian and 3.88±0.96 in Bulgarian patients) indicating high dependency and the need for thorough approach and engagement of the whole rehabilitation team. There were significant changes of mRS (improvement) in both groups, but the progress was statistically better in Croatian with change of mRS of 0.96±0.67, than in Bulgarian patients (0.42±0.50), whereas the length of stay was significantly longer in Croatian patients (33±15 days) than in Bulgarian (8±2 days). The change in Strucni rad Professional article ISSN 1846-1867