Association of Physical Functioning with Same-Hospital Readmission After Stroke

OBJECTIVE: Readmission after hospitalization for stroke is an important outcome. We sought to document the frequency of same-hospital readmission and to determine the relative value of physical functioning as a predictor of the outcome. DESIGN: Consenting patients (n = 228) who were admitted for ischemic stroke were characterized according to demographics, stroke severity, and self-reported prestroke and postadmission physical functioning. The hospital's administrative database was used to track readmissions during the year after index hospitalization. RESULTS: Same-hospital readmissions were experienced by 37.3% of the patients. The readmissions usually occurred within 100 days of discharge. The most common readmission diagnosis was stroke (14.1%). Lower prestroke and postadmission physical functioning (as reflected by dichotomous Barthel index scores) were weak but significant predictors of readmission (r = -0.165 and -0.268, respectively). Regression analysis showed that once postadmission physical functioning was accounted for, neither prestroke functioning nor any other measured variable added to the explanation of same-hospital readmission. CONCLUSION: The importance of physical functioning goes beyond rehabilitation. It is a potentially modifiable variable with implications for readmission.