Article

OBJECTIVE: To document the frequency, clinical correlates and predictors of
symptomatic upper limb spasticity in patients one year or more after stroke.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: A total of 140 patients after stroke
attending a rehabilitation clinic. METHODS: Assessments of spasticity, upper limb
function and self-care ability using the Ashworth Scale (AS), Motor Assessment
Scale and Modified Barthel Index. We categorized spasticity as: spasticity in
general (AS score > or = 1), severe spasticity (AS score > or = 3) and
symptomatic spasticity (spasticity affecting upper limb function). RESULTS: The
mean age (standard deviation, SD) was 61.0 (SD 13.3) years and patients were
evaluated at 41.7 (SD 35.1) months after stroke onset. The observed frequency of
spasticity in general, severe spasticity and symptomatic spasticity was 78.6%,
38.6% and 30%, respectively. The total AS score was the most important correlate
of symptomatic spasticity; patients with higher scores were likely to be
symptomatic (p = 0.001). Severe spasticity was predicted by poor lower extremity
power (p = 0.002), high National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score (p =
0.015) and presence of dysphasia (p = 0.046) on admission to rehabilitation. No
predictors of symptomatic spasticity could be established. CONCLUSION:
Symptomatic spasticity is relatively common in patients with chronic stroke and
is significantly correlated with the severity of spasticity.

Langue : ANGLAIS