Quantification of the probability of reaching mobility independence at discharge from a rehabilitation hospital in nonwalking early ischemic stroke patients: A multivariate study

Background: This study was designed to quantify the probability of recovery of mobility in admission nonwalking stroke survivors. Methods: We evaluated 437 of 500 consecutive patients admitted for sequelae of first ischemic stroke within the first month. We performed several logistic regressions using mobility status at discharge (independence in stair climbing; walking outside and inside, without aid or supervision; walking with cane or other aid, or need for wheelchair) as dependent variable, and several independent variables, including stratification of patients according to their Barthel Index (BI) score into 6 classes (≤10; 11-20; 21-30; 31-40; 41-50; 51-60). Results: At discharge, 4.58% of patients were independent in stair climbing, 8.70% were able to walk outside, 14.41% to walk inside, and 27.46% to walk with cane or other aid, while 44.85% remained in wheelchair. Very low BI scores at admission were associated with a high risk of need for wheelchair, whereas patients with BI score 51-60 showed a high probability to reach independence in stair climbing (OR = 5.60). Age, severity of neurological impairment, global aphasia, unilateral spatial neglect, male gender and vocational status also played a prognostic role. Conclusions: The probability of potential mobility recovery can be quantified at admission with better accuracy for independence in stair climbing and walking outside without any aid (percentages correctly predicted 95.4 and 91.8%, respectively). Stratification of BI score may be useful to better quantify the risk for each patient.