Purpose: Stroke is one of the main causes of elderly disability in physical and mental health. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of stroke history on physical and mental health and health care utilization of the middle-aged and elderly adults. Methods: The data come from a follow-up of the Survey of Health and Living Status of the Elderly in Taiwan. Based on the responses of stroke history reported in 1999 and 2003, subjects were grouped into ‘no stroke’ (n=3207), ‘onset of stroke’ (n=170) and ‘had stroke history’ (n=109). Results: Physical and mental health of middle-aged and elderly people got worse and utilization of health care increased along with increased age. Subjects in the ‘onset of stroke’ group showed worse self-evaluated health, ADL and IADL, less social activities, increased chronic diseases, increased usage of aids, and increased utilization of emergency and hospitalized services. The differences were all apparently greater than those of ‘no stroke’ group. Besides, subjects in the ‘had stroke history’ group showed significantly increased chronic diseases, increased usage of aids and decreased utilization of physical examination by comparing with the ‘no stroke’ group. Conclusion: Aging thoroughly affects health of middle-aged and elderly adults. The study investigates the influence of stroke history on health and health care utilization of the middle-aged and elderly adults by using longitudinal data analysis methods. This study could offer substantial and important reference materials for planning social or medical welfare of stroke patients.
