Infarct location is associated with quality of life after mild ischemic stroke

BackgroundIn patients with mild ischemic stroke, small but eloquent infarcts may have devastating effects, particularly on health-related quality of life.AimThis study investigates the association between acute infarct location and three-month health-related quality of life in patients with mild ischemic stroke.MethodsWe evaluated consecutively enrolled patients from a single center between August 2012 and July 2013. Our primary outcome at three months was impairment in any health-related quality of life domain (upper extremity, lower extremity, executive function, and general concerns) defined by a T-score <45. We analyzed the association between acute infarct locations and impaired health-related quality of life at three months in univariate and multivariable analysis.ResultsAmong 229 patients (mean age 64.9 years, 55% male, 29.7% black, and median initial NIHSS score 1), impaired health-related quality of life was noted in 84 (36.2%) patients at three months. In univariate analysis, patients with subco...