Comparison of Recanalisation Therapies in Terms of Quality of Life in Ischaemic Stroke Patients in Hungary

OBJECTIVES: In developed countries, acute stroke is a leading cause of mortality and persistent disability. In Hungary, approximately 25,000 cases of acute stroke are reported annually. The aim of our research is to compare reperfusion therapies (thrombolysis, thrombectomy) in terms of quality of life at 30 days among patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS: The study was conducted at the Clinical Center of the University of Pécs, Hungary, between April 2022 and May 2023. Patients were divided into intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) groups based on the treatment received. NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Scale (EQ-5D-5L) were used in the study. Descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, and Pearson correlations were applied for analysis (SPSS 25.0; p <0.05).

RESULTS: A total of 119 participants were included in the study (IVT:69, MT:50). Both groups showed a significant improvement in admission and discharge NIHSS scores (IVT: 4.36 vs. 1.57, p <0.001; MT: 8.98 vs. 4.50, p <0.001). The EQ-5D value also significantly increased in both groups on days 1-3 and on day 30 after treatment (IVT: 0.82 vs. 0.88, p <0.001; MT: 0.63 vs. 0.73, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvement in quality of life was observed in both groups at day 30, with the thrombectomy group showing the highest degree of improvement. The baseline condition, as indicated by NIHSS and EQ-5D-5L, was the worst in the thrombectomy group, ultimately resulting in higher quality of life scores in the post-treatment period compared to the thrombolysis group.