International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology Vol. 2 (1), pp. 042-049, January, 2013 © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Stroke rehabilitation: Demographic profile and rehabilitation therapy costs of outpatients with stroke in Greece

Angelo V. Vasiliadis

Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry, Laboratory of Adapted Physical Activity, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at Serres, Medical School at Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +30 2310 537926.

Received 31 October, 2012; Accepted 04 January, 2013

Abstract

Stroke is one of the most expensive medical illnesses. In Greece, information on rehabilitation costs after hospital discharge and type of treatment sessions have not been reported. This study provided the demographic profile, the rehabilitation training program and the direct rehabilitation costs of stroke outpatients. A retrospective study, based on a sample of 18 outpatients with stroke, who were all local residents of the prefecture of Thessaloniki and had their first documented rehabilitation session between June 2008 and May 2010. The mean age was 58.8 ± 14 years and 83.3% had ischemic stroke. The direct rehabilitation cost for all stroke cases was €99,960 for a total of 169 months (591.5 € per month for rehabilitation). Pool therapy (52.4%) was the most utilized during rehabilitation. The mean length of rehabilitation period was 9.4 ± 5.9, months. At the end of rehabilitation training program, over half of the outpatients had the need for a walking stick (61.1%). Stroke onset was higher in the evening hours (44.4%) and the spring season was noted with the most cases (38.9%). Stroke patients without any type of insurance continue to incur considerable costs for their rehabilitation therapy program after their discharge from a hospital setting.

Key words: Stroke, rehabilitation, outpatient, cost, incidence, Greece.