Length of stay in hospital and rehabilitation centers after stroke in Arab countries and Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Stroke rehabilitation is a vital component of post-stroke care, and the length of stay (LOS) in hospitals and rehabilitation centers varies across healthcare systems. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed LOS among stroke survivors in Arab countries. METHODS: A comprehensive...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Annals of Saudi Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.annsaudimed.net/doi/10.5144/0256-4947.2025.256 |
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| Summary: | BACKGROUND: Stroke rehabilitation is a vital component of post-stroke care, and the length of stay (LOS) in hospitals and rehabilitation centers varies across healthcare systems. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed LOS among stroke survivors in Arab countries. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search identified studies reporting LOS in stroke rehabilitation. A comprehensive literature search from the inception until March 2025 identified studies reporting LOS in stroke rehabilitation. RESULTS: A total of 18 publications (25 datasets) involving 12 690 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled mean LOS was 25.67 days [95% confidence interval (CI): 16.22–35.11]. Subgroup analyses showed a longer LOS in Saudi Arabia (37.03 days, 95% CI: 24.11–49.95) compared to other Arab countries (8.87 days, 95% CI: 4.90–12.84), and in rehabilitation centers (46.71 days, 95% CI: 33.18–60.24) compared to acute hospital settings (9.07 days, 95% CI: 5.27–12.86). LOS varies widely across Arab countries and care settings. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the need to examine whether differences in LOS are associated with functional recovery and healthcare efficiency. However, substantial heterogeneity across studies and a lack of outcome data limit the interpretability of the results. |
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| ISSN: | 0256-4947 0975-4466 |