Rate, Degree, and Predictors of Recovery from Disability Following Ischemic Stroke

Objective: To determine the rate, degree, and predictors of recovery from disabling ischemic stroke.

Methods: Patients with ischemic stroke enrolled in the Management of Atherothrombosis With Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients (MATCH) study underwent long-term prospective assessment of their modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Disability (functionally dependent state) was defined as mRS > or = 3, and recovery (functionally independent state) was defined as mRS < 3. The timing and the independent predictors of recovery were determined using a Cox proportional hazards multiple regression analysis.

Results: Of 7,599 patients enrolled with ischemic stroke or TIA, 1,662 (21.8%) were disabled (mRS > or = 3) at baseline (median of 14 [0 to 96] days after stroke onset). Disability was moderate (mRS 3) in 931 (56%) patients, severe (mRS 4) in 691 (42%), and very severe (mRS 5) in 40 (2%). By 18 months, 877 (52.8%, 95% CI 50% to 55%) patients had recovered, 589 (63%, 60% to 66%) with moderate disability, 281 (41%, 37% to 44%) with severe disability, and 7 (17%, 7 to 33%) with very severe disability. Median time to recovery was 3 months for patients with moderate disability and 18 months for severe disability; 82.5% of severely disabled patients remained so at 18 months. Predictors of recovery were moderate disability (mRS 3) at baseline compared with severe (mRS 4: hazard ratio [HR] 2.13, 1.86 to 2.44) or very severe disabling stroke (HR 5.88, 2.86 to 12.5); younger women (aged <65 years, compared with > or =75 years; HR 1.85, 1.47 to 2.33); decreasing time (days) between the qualifying event and the baseline assessment (HR 1.01, 1.01 to 1.02); and the absence of previous ischemic stroke (HR 1.61, 1.35 to 1.92), concurrent peripheral artery disease (HR 1.61, 1.23 to 2.13), or diabetes (HR 1.30, 1.10 to 1.54).

Conclusions: Half of patients with disabling ischemic stroke recovered within 18 months, and recovery was greatest within 6 months. Significant predictors of recovery included the severity of the index stroke and no history of ischemic stroke, peripheral artery disease, or diabetes.