The Association between Psychiatric and Cognitive Symptoms after Stroke: A Prospective Study

Vol. 19, No. 5, 2005

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Original Paper

The Association between Psychiatric and Cognitive Symptoms after Stroke: A Prospective Study
Sascha Rasquin^a, Jan Lodder^b, Frans Verhey^a

Departments of
^aPsychiatry and Neuropsychology and
^bNeurology, University of Maastricht/University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Address of Corresponding Author

Cerebrovasc Dis 2005;19:309-316 (DOI: 10.1159/000084499)

Key Words

Stroke
Psychiatric symptoms
Cognition
Post-stroke depression
Vascular cognitive impairment

Abstract

Background: Stroke patients often have neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive deficits. The aim of this study was to investigate whether stroke patients with psychiatric symptoms are at increased risk of developing cognitive deficits. Methods: Cognitive function (assessed with a neuropsychological test battery) and presence of psychiatric symptoms (assessed with the 90-item Symptom Checklist) were evaluated at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months after stroke. Results: At baseline, 156 patients entered the study, 15 had a diagnosis of vascular dementia, 113 one of post-stroke mild cognitive impairment. Patients with psychiatric symptoms were found to be at increased risk of being diagnosed as having vascular dementia at baseline (OR = 6.9, CI = 1.3-36.8) and showed more decline on cognitive function 6 months after stroke. Conclusions: Patients with psychiatric symptoms after stroke are at increased risk of cognitive deficits and decline in cognitive functioning.

Author Contacts

Prof. Dr. F.R.J. Verhey
University of Maastricht
Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, PO Box 616
NL-6200 MD Maastricht (The Netherlands)
Tel. +31 43 3877537, Fax +31 43 3875444, E-Mail F.Verhey@np.unimaas.nl

Article Information

Received: May 14, 2004
Accepted: December 22, 2004
Published online: March 17, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 5, Number of References : 49

Medline Abstract (ID 15775710)

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