# The association of post-stroke changes in body mass index with activity of daily living and instrumental activity of daily living trajectories: A multi-cohort analysis

## TL;DR

Changes in body mass index after a stroke are linked to long-term declines in daily living abilities, highlighting the need for post-stroke health management.

## Contribution

This study identifies early BMI changes as a potential marker for long-term functional decline after stroke.

## Key findings

- Decreased BMI after stroke is associated with higher ADL and IADL limitations over 24 years.
- Increased BMI after stroke also correlates with functional decline, though for a shorter duration.
- Both BMI changes were linked to worse outcomes compared to stable BMI.

## Abstract

The determinants of functional limitation trajectories after stroke remain scarce. This study aimed to investigate the association of early body mass index (BMI) changes with trajectories of activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) following stroke.

Three cohorts from Europe and the United States.

Community.

Stroke survivors.

BMI changes were assessed 1–4 years after self-reported stroke and categorized as decreased (≤−5% initial BMI), increased (≥5% initial BMI), and stable. An alternate cut-point of 2% was also used. Functional limitations were measured as the number of ADL and IADL limitations, which were repeatedly measured for up to 24 years after stroke. Associations were evaluated using segmented linear mixed-effects models after adjusting for demographic, behavioral, and medical factors.

The study population comprised 2544 adults with stroke (mean [standard deviation] age 70.0 [10.9] years; 52.0% women). Based on a 5% cutoff, the number of ADL and IADL limitations was higher in the groups of decreased (ADL: 0.56 [95% CI = 0.28, 0.85]; IADL: 0.66 [95% CI = 0.38, 0.94]) and increased BMI (ADL: 0.55 [95% CI = 0.28, 0.81]; IADL: 0.59 [95% CI = 0.33, 0.85]) compared to stable BMI, respectively. Similar findings were obtained for a 2% cutoff. These differences frequently persisted for 24 years for decreased BMI and 6–12 years for increased BMI.

Early decreased BMI, and to a lesser extent increased BMI, following stroke could be a marker of long-term adverse trajectories of physical functioning, underlying the importance of nutritional and physical activity management after a stroke.