Functional Outcome in Patients With Lacunar Infarction

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about the prognosis and the predictive factors for functional outcome after lacunar infarction. Our aim was to analyze this issue in more detail and with a longer follow-up than in previous reports. METHODS: Functional outcome was assessed in 81 consecutive patients with a first-ever stroke and clinical and MRI findings compatible with lacunar infarction. We measured impairment (motor, sensory, and cognitive function), disability (Katz's Index of Activities of Daily Living [ADL] and four instrumental activities), and handicap (Oxford Handicap Scale). The patients were followed up for 3 years. RESULTS: During follow-up, 6% of the patients died and 21% had recurrent strokes, mostly new lacunar infarcts. A fast initial recovery was found in most patients. At 1 year, 12% were dependent in personal ADL, which after 3 years had increased to 24%, mostly as a result of the effects of recurrent strokes. In a logistic multivariate regression model, moderate or severe hemiparesis 1 month after stroke onset was the strongest predictor of physical dependence or death at 3 years (P < .001), followed by white matter hyperintensities on MRI (P < .01). Age, vascular risk factors, and recurrent stroke were not statistically significant independent predictors of functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Functional outcome regarding physical independence was favorable in most patients. Motor impairment and white matter disease were the strongest predictors of a poor functional outcome. Recurrent stroke increased disability and handicap but was not a statistically significant independent risk factor. Measurements of personal ADL alone were insensitive in detecting the consequences of stroke in many patients with preserved self-care ability, who still experienced disability and handicap.