Abstract
AIMS: Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, with family support playing a pivotal role in the recovery process. This study aimed to evaluate the association between family support levels and the short-term functional prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 124 patients admitted to the Department of Neurology at Second People's Hospital of Neijiang were included, with an average age of 68 years. Family support was assessed by the Family Support Questionnaire (FSQ) and the Family APGAR Questionnaire. The primary outcome was functional independence, defined as a Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2, assessed 6 months after discharge. Secondary outcomes included lifestyle behaviors and medication adherence. Multivariate logistic and linear regression were used to analyze the association between family support and functional independence. RESULTS: Compared to patients with FSQ of 0-5, FSQ of 10-15 were significantly associated with greater functional independence (OR: 1.666, 95% CI 1.236-2.214, P = 0.005) and mRS changes between baseline and follow-up at 6-months (β = -1.001, 95% CI -1.418 to -0.584, P < 0.001). However, the APGAR score was not significantly associated with functional recovery (P > 0.05). Lifestyle improvements were noted post-stroke, but no significant differences were observed among different family support levels (P > 0.05). Higher FSQ scores and APGAR scores were associated with better medication adherence (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study concludes family support is positively associated with functional recovery and medication adherence, further studies are needed to clarify whether improved medication adherence mediates this association.