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Objective

Hemiplegic shoulder pain is a common complication of stroke. The primary aim of this study was to determine the association of hemiplegic shoulder pain with health-related quality of life at 12 months after first stroke in a population-based registry. The secondary aim was to identify other factors associated with health-related quality-of-life outcomes.

Design

A prospective population-based study in a geographically defined region of Adelaide, South Australia was conducted. Multiple ascertainment methods identified all cases of stroke within a 12-month period. Objective and subjective measures were undertaken at baseline and at 4 and 12 months’ follow-up. Multiple regression analyses identified independent variables (including exposure to shoulder pain and depression, 12-month dependence, access to formal rehabilitation) associated with health-related quality of life, defined by the summary index …