Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify the correlation between pre-stroke quality of life (QoL) and stroke risk among adults in Taif, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2024 at Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital. Stroke risk was assessed using the American Stroke Association’s Rapid Stroke Risk Assessment tool, dividing participants into low-, middle-, and high-risk groups. QoL was measured using the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire, assessing physical, social, psychological, and environmental domains.
Results: In total, 411 participants completed the study, and 60.8% were men. Smoking (39.9%) and physical inactivity (36%) were the most prevalent risk factors. Stroke risk was categorized as low (58%), middle (15%), and high (27%). Older age and female gender were linked to higher stroke risk. High-risk participants had the lowest QoL scores, especially in physical and social domains. Poor physical and social health were linked to an increased stroke risk, while better physical and social health were protective.
Conclusion: This study indicated an association between stroke risk and QoL. Smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity were the most prevalent modifiable risk factors, with smoking being the leading contributor. Participants in the middle-risk and high-risk groups had the lowest QoL scores across all domains, whereas those in the low-risk group had the highest scores. These findings emphasized the need to incorporate QoL assessments into stroke risk evaluations and call for longitudinal studies to validate these associations and improve preventive strategies.

Key words: Stroke risk, quality of life, Saudi Arabia, physical inactivity, obesity