Predictors of poststroke driving or riding in Indian stroke patients (POINT Study)

Background: There is no information regarding the proportion of stroke patients who drive or ride after a stroke from developing countries.

Aim: We aimed to study the predictors of poststroke driving or riding and its impact on social life in Indian patients.

Methods: This study was done in the stroke and neurology clinics of Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, from May 1, 2008 to May 31, 2010. Patients were recruited if they had completed ≥1-year follow-up. Subjects were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Stroke outcome was assessed by using the modified Rankin scale. Outcome was classified as good (modified Rankin scale ≤2) and poor (modified Rankin scale >2).

Results: Two hundred and one patients were interviewed. Mean age was 58·0 ± 13·4 years (median 59 years, range 17-85 years), 139 (69·2%) were men. The mean duration of follow-up was 37·4 ± 29·2 months (range 19-210 months). Out of 201 patients, 132 (65·7%) drove or rode before stroke and among them only 54 (40·9%) returned to driving or riding after stroke [men 53 (98·1%)]. Among the 78 who did not return to driving or riding, 51 (65·4%) had an impact on social life. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the predictors of inability to drive were lower education (odds ratio 0·32, confidence interval 0·12-0·89, P = 0·03), unemployment (odds ratio 4·59, confidence interval 1·67-12·6, P = 0·003), and poor outcome (odds ratio 3·97, confidence interval 1·06-14·8, P = 0·04).

Conclusions: Only 40·9% of the patients returned to driving or riding. Lower education, unemployment, and poor recovery were the predictors of inability to drive or ride. Inability to drive had a major impact in their social life.