Disability caused by ischemic stroke – a medico-social problem

Abstract

Background: Stroke is an important health problem at a global level, being the third cause of mortality in the general hierarchy of pathologies (after cardio-vascular disease, neoplasm) and the first cause among neurological diseases. According to data from the National Statistical Office of the Republic of Moldova in 2012 11836 new cases of strokes were registered and 6125 persons passed away. The prevalence in 2012 was 33,3 for 10 000 people. In 2014, 853 persons were given disability levels after stroke. According to the American Stroke Association 87% of strokes are ischemic and the rest of hemorrhagic type. Stroke represents the main etiological factor of long term disability. Only 20% of people who have suffered from stroke will return to work, 40% have moderate deficiencies. The majority of secondary deficiencies are healed in a few months, but others can persist throughout life. Conclusions: Even though the biggest progress in healing is achieved in early periods perspectives in recovery are over the course of months and even years (late period). Development of cooperation between medical and social services is necessary and has the aim of identification of common interest problems in the prophylaxis, treatment and adequate recuperation, the supreme objective being the reduction of the number of people with post-stroke disabilities and maintaining human potential. Improvement of the quality of medico-social services for people with a disability favors the achievement of objectives for their socio-professional inclusion.