Vascular aphasias: main characteristics of patients hospitalized in acute stroke units.
OBJECTIVE
Aphasia is frequent in stroke patients and is associated with poor prognosis. However, characteristics and determinants of vascular aphasias remain controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate aphasia characteristics at the acute stage in patients admitted to a stroke unit.


METHODS
The study was performed in 308 patients consecutively assessed with a standardized aphasia battery.


RESULTS
Aphasia was observed in 207 patients; global and nonclassified aphasias accounted for 50% of aphasic syndromes at the acute stage, whereas classic aphasias (Wernicke's, Broca's, transcortical, and subcortical aphasias) were less frequent. Age differed across aphasic syndromes in ischemic stroke patients only; patients with conduction aphasia were younger, and patients with subcortical aphasia were older. Sex did not significantly differ across aphasic syndromes. The presence of a previous stroke was more frequent in nonclassified aphasia.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows (1) that vascular aphasias are frequently severe or nonclassic at the acute stage, a finding explained in part by the presence of a previous stroke; (2) that the age effect is due mainly to its influence on infarct location; and (3) that the main determinant of aphasia characteristics is lesion location.
Godefroy
O
O
Department of Neurovascular Disorders of Lille and Institut d'Orthophonie de Tours, Amiens, France. godefroy.olivier@chu-amiens.fr
Dubois
C
C
Debachy
B
B
Leclerc
M
M
Kreisler
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001037:Aphasia / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001039:Aphasia, Broca / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D001041:Aphasia, Wernicke / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*