FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY STROKE ASSISTED IN AN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Abstract

Objective: To characterize socio-demographic and clinical data as well as to identify risk factors and investigate functional capacity of individuals affected by stroke assisted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study, consisting of 21 individuals affected by stroke and assisted in the ICU of the Regional Hospital of Emergency and Trauma Dom Luiz Gonzaga Fernandes, in the city of Campina Grande - PB, from March to September 2011. We used as evaluation tools a socio demographic and clinical form and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Data were analyzed and expressed as frequency, percentile, mean and standard deviation using the software GraphPad Prism 4.0. Results: The sample was mainly composed by men (52.4%) with mean age of 67.6 ± 11.9 years, of which 42.8% were married. With regard to clinical data, 57.2% of the individuals had hemorrhagic stroke, 61.9% had the right hemibody affected and 90.4% had cardiovascular diseases as a risk factor. As to functionality, 81% of them were sedated, 38% had complete deficiency to move several joints and 71% to lie down. Conclusion: Individuals affected by stroke assisted in an Intensive Care Unit are mostly men in their sixties, married, with hemorrhagic stroke, right hemibody affected, having cardiovascular diseases and severe functional deficits. DESCRIPTORS Funcionality. Stroke. Intensive Care Units. ICF.