Secondary Prevention and Health Promotion After Stroke

The aim of this study was to examine to what extent a one year population of stroke patients at a university hospital had well regulated risk factors and health problems one year after stroke, and if a structured nurse-led previous follow-up in the intervention group including referrals if needed could influence health outcome and risk factors one year after stroke.

The follow-up protocol was categorized into Risk factors, Patients' self-reports, and Other health problems. Referral was sent to a physician if medical interventions were needed regarding risk factors measured above the limits as stated in the follow-up protocol in accordance with guidelines,and/or if any self-reported health problems were stated by the patients, or had been detected by the Specialist Nurse. Primary outcome was comparison between the intervention group and control group at one year after stroke regarding proportion of regulated risk factors, and self-reports on health outcome. Results of the two follow-ups of the intervention group were also compared.

Control of secondary prevention at three months and one year after stroke and referral to physician if medical interventions are needed. Assessment of functional status and self-reports on health outcome. Supportive counselling provided.

Standard care with no outlined follow-up until one year after stroke. Control of secondary prevention after one year after stroke and referral to physician if medical interventions are needed. Follow-up one year after stroke according to the same protocol as the intervention group.

Patients' self-reports on Mobility, Self Care, Usual activities, Pain/Discomfort, Anxiety/Depression, Health Outcome were registered. Health problems were assessed. Secondary prevention was controlled by measuring blood pressure, Cholesterol levels, HbA1c, Weight to estimate nutritional status. Functional status was assessed. Supportive counselling was provided. Referral was sent to physician if medical interventions were needed.

No intervention three months after stroke. Assessment one year after stroke and comparison with the intervention group.

Outcome for both groups after one year was measured as the proportion of risk factors sufficiently treated, the patients' self-reports on health outcome and comparison between the intervention group and the control group.

Inclusion Criteria: WHO criteria for definition of stroke Signed consent Exclusion Criteria: Other diagnosis causing neurological symptoms