Males ‘have better post-stroke lives’

Quality of life after a stroke differs between men and women, a new study has found.

Earlier studies have shown that women tend to have higher levels of disability after a stroke than men, but quality of life is affected by many factors ? of which disability is just one.

In the latest study researchers from the University of Nottingham looked at nearly 1,300 patients and measured their quality of life six months after stroke.

Factors taken into account were physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role and mental health.

After comparing the results from men and women, the results showed that women consistently reported lower quality of life than men. This was most evident in physical functioning and mental health.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Isabel Lee from the Stroke Association said: “The reason for this outcome could be that women and men cope and adapt in different ways. In some illnesses there is a clear distinction between the impact on the sexes, but this is an area that has not been fully explored with stroke.”

The findings will be published in the journal Stroke.