The association between psychiatric and cognitive symptoms after stroke: a prospective study.
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.
Rasquin
Sascha
S
Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, University of Maastricht/University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Lodder
Jan
J
Verhey
Frans
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*