De National Institute of Health Stroke Scale versus Barthel Index als voorspeller van revalidatie uitkomsten 2 maanden na een CVA

Abstract

Introduction: In the Netherlands, the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is, nowadays, used as a standard measure of stroke severity in the acute phase. Our primary aim was to evaluate whether the predictive value of the NIHSS regarding functional independence 2 months later, adds to the Barthel Index (BI); a widely used measure for functional independence, and vice versa. Methods: Data was retrieved from the Restore4Stroke Cohort study, a prospective longitudinal study in which patients from six Dutch hospitals were followed for two years after stroke. We used data on baseline stroke severity (NIHSS) and functional independence (BI), and functional independence (BI) 2 months later. Results: The baseline BI explained 31% of variance of the BI at 2 months. Adding the NIHSS explained another 6%. The baseline NIHSS explained 28% of variance of the BI at 2 months. Adding the baseline BI in the model explained another 10%. Conclusions: In general, the BI predicts functional independence better than the NIHSS. A more severe stroke and lower functional independence predict less functional independence 2 months later. Future studies should include other possible predictors, such as psychosocial or personal factors.