Obese Japanese Patients with Stroke Have Higher Functional Recovery in Convalescent Rehabilitation Wards: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BackgroundA protective effect of excessive body mass index (BMI) on mortality or functional outcome in patients with stroke is not well established in the Asian population. This study aimed to explore whether obese patients with stroke have advantages for functional improvement in Japanese rehabilitation wards.MethodThis retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with stroke admitted and discharged from convalescent rehabilitation wards between 2011 and 2015. Demographic data, BMI, Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score, and nutritional status were analyzed. Participants were classified into 4 groups according to BMI (underweight <18.5 kg/m2, standard 18.5-<23 kg/m2, overweight 23-<27.5 kg/m2, obese ≥27.5 kg/m2). The primary outcome was the FIM gain, and the secondary outcome was the FIM score at discharge. Multiple regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between BMI and functional recovery.ResultsIn total, 897 participants (males 484, females 413; mean age 71.6 years) were analyzed and classified as underweight (134), standard (432), overweight (277), and obese (54). The median FIM gain and the FIM score at discharge were 30 and 114, respectively. The FIM gain in the obese group was significantly higher than those in the other groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed that obesity was independently correlated with the FIM gain, and those at discharge after adjusting for confounders such as age, gender, and FIM score on admission.ConclusionsObese Japanese convalescent patients with stroke may have some advantages for functional recovery in rehabilitation wards.