Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment and Mood Disorder six Months Post Ischaemic Stroke.
A. Hickey1, L. Mellon1, F. Horgan2, L. Brewer3, P. Hall3, E. Dolan4, E. Shelley4, H. McGee1, P. Kelly5, R. Conroy1, D. Williams3
1Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Division of Population Health Sciences, Ireland
2Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Department of Physiotherapy, Ireland
3Beaumont Hospital, Department of Stroke and Geriatric Medicine, Dublin, Ireland
4Connolly Hospital, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Dublin, Ireland
5Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Department of Neurology, Dublin, Ireland
Background: Psychological problems are common post-stroke, including emotional distress, behavioural change and cognitive impairment. Stroke rehabilitation typically focuses on restoration of physical and language function. Methods: The ASPIRE-S (Action on Secondary Prevention Interventions and Rehabilitation in Stroke) study assessed secondary prevention, rehabilitation and stroke outcomes in a cohort of patients admitted with acute ischaemic stroke over one year from October 2011. Assessments were conducted at six months post stroke, including assessments of psychological distress and cognition. Results: 302 patients (58% male) participated. Mean age was 69 years (range 22-95). Over half (52%) of patients reported being emotionally distressed by the stroke. Over half (57%) also scored below the cut-off for cognitive impairment. Of those needing support from psychological services, a majority (63%) did not receive any. Conclusion: Significant levels of emotional challenges and cognitive impairment post-stroke were evident from the ASPIRE-S cohort. Provision of psychological services post-stroke is identified as a significant unmet rehabilitative need.