In order to evaluate the microsocial factors affecting quality of life in stroke victims, 100 survivors of ischemic stroke
and the same number of their relevant family members (key persons, controls) were interviewed using Stroke Specific
Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL)1 questionnaire. Total SS-QOL score did not differ significantly between post-stroke patients
and key persons (z=0.64, P=0.524). Relevant family members ranked the patients’ family (P=0.022) and social
role (P=0.08), and their mobility (P=0.09) slightly higher than the patients themselves. However, male patients rated
their »family role« (z=–2.82, P=0.005), »mobility« (z=–2.28, P=0.023) and »social role« (z=–1.86, P=0.063) higher
than their female peers. Recent ( 33 months) and remote (>33 months after the ischemic accident) stroke patients did
not differ substantially in total SS-QOL score, social role and hand function assessment but in mobility (z=–1.90, P=
0.057) and family role estimation (z=–2.47, P=0.014) the difference was in favor of recent stroke patients. The domain
scores and total SS-QOL score did not differ by gender between recent stroke patients and their controls either. It is concluded
that assessment of general functioning and global quality of life among post-stroke patients provided by relevant
patients’ family members could be accepted with confidence. Male patients slightly overestimate their mobility and social
role. No significant impact of post-stroke time span on quality of life estimation was observed
