Impact of sepsis on functioning and quality of life in patients affected by stroke.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a frequent complication in acute stroke that increases hospital morbidity, yet its repercussions remain poorly understood. This study investigates the functioning and quality of life in ischemic stroke patients who developed sepsis versus those who did not. METHODS: This study included 38 patients matched by sex, age, and admission score on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Functioning was evaluated by the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. (WHODAS 2.0) and quality of life by the World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF Disabilities (WHOQOL-BREF/DIS), both assessed via proxy three months post-stroke. Statistical analysis used non-parametric tests and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The stroke-sepsis group (n = 14) showed significantly longer hospital stays than the stroke-only group (n = 24) (median 23.64 vs. 8.04 days; p < 0.001) and higher Modified Rankin Score scores at discharge (4.29 vs. 3.46; p = 0.016), indicating greater disability. This group also exhibited worse Glasgow Coma Scale values (p < 0.001) and a higher risk of pressure injuries (OR: 3.22; p = 0.004). Pulmonary infection was the primary septic focus (92.8%). Importantly, no statistically significant differences were detected between the groups in mean WHODAS 2.0, WHOQOL-BREF, or WHOQOL-BREF-DIS scores. Conclusion: The presence of sepsis in ischemic stroke patients was not associated with worse functioning or quality of life three months post-event. However, sepsis was associated with a substantial increase in hospital length of stay as well as greater disability and dependence at hospital discharge, emphasizing its significant clinical and healthcare burden impact in this population.