@article{article_520659, title={Posterior circulation stroke and rehabilitation: experiences in a rehabilitation clinic}, journal={Ortadoğu Tıp Dergisi}, volume={11}, pages={439–445}, year={2019}, DOI={10.21601/ortadogutipdergisi.520659}, author={Erdem Sultanoğlu, Tuba and Bora Karslı, Pınar and Karaca Umay, Ebru and Sultanoğlu, Hasan and Çakcı, Fatma Aytül}, keywords={posterior circulation,stroke,rehabilitation}, abstract={<b>Objective: <i> </i> </b>The aim of our study was to evaluate the demographic and disease characteristics of our patients with posterior circulation due to low life expectancy which may affect vital functions such as consciousness, circulation, respiration and swallowing and to convey our experience. <br /> <b>Materials and Methods: </b> A total of 12 patients hospitalized in the Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with posterior circulation stroke were included in this study. Demographic characteristics, coma and intensive care duration and time period before the rehabilitation admission, the existence and duration of tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation support, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was recorded. Neurological and musculoskeletal findings of all patients, swallowing and nutritional status, pressure ulcer existence, neurogenic bladder and bowel symptoms were evaluated. Rehabilitation protocol, rehabilitation clinic stay period, Brunnstrom motor functional status (BMFS) and functional independence measure (FIM) score on admission and discharge was reported. <br /> <b>Results: <i> </i> </b>The mean age of the patients was 53.75 ± 12.77 years. Right side of the body in 4 (33%) patients, left side in 1 (8.3%) patients and both sides affected in 7 (58.4%) patients. Mean time until the admission to the rehabilitation clinic was 33.5 (7-78) days and rehabilitation clinic stay length was 39.5 (15-126) days. After the rehabilitation period BMFS, GCS and FIM scores changed significantly (p=0.001, p=0.005, p=0.002). At the rehabilitation discharge, 3 (25%) patients were wheelchair bound, rest of the patients were ambulatory with an assistance or independently. 3 patients continued with gastrostomy tube. <br /> <b>Conclusion: <i> </i> </b>Early rehabilitation of severe posterior circulation (PC) stroke patients that has an essential role for the recovery; as well as in all hemiplegies, contributing to improved motor-cognitive status and better functional outcomes. <br />
In our study, the demographic and disease characteristics of patients with stroke who had low life expectancy and posterior circulation with serious medical complications were evaluated. It was concluded that starting early rehabilitation program might be important in terms of motor functions, cognitive functions and functional independence as in all other hemiplegic patients.}, number={4}, publisher={MEDİTAGEM Ltd. Şti.}