Disabilities caused due to stroke

Background: Stroke is a non-communicable disease caused due to obstruction of supply of blood to the brain. It is one of the leading causes of disability adjusted life years lost. The aim of the present study was to consolidate the disabilities faced by stroke patients from the clinical experiences of the experts involved in giving care to the stroke patients. Materials and methods: A qualitative study design was utilised. All the participants were recruited from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal-Karnataka, through professional networks. Semi structured face to face interviews were conducted and oral informed consent was taken. Interview guide was developed through literature review and discussion with the research team. The interview sessions were carried out till the saturation was obtained and 15 participants were recruited. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health core sets for stroke were considered as broad themes for amalgamation of responses. Deductive approach was used to analyse the data. Results: Majority of the participants claimed that motor disabilities were the most common followed by impairment in performing activities of daily living, language problems, difficulties of cognition and perception, psychological problems, caregiver burden, sexual and urinary problems. Conclusion: Each disability varies from person to person and has profound effect on patient’s as well as caregiver’s quality of life.