title: Poststroke anxiety is prevalent at the population level, especially among socially deprived and younger age community stroke survivors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most studies of poststroke anxiety prevalence are hospital based, so knowledge of anxiety in community stroke survivors is limited. Few studies address the association between poststroke anxiety and patient age. No study has explored the relationship between poststroke anxiety prevalence and social deprivation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to describe population level prevalence data of poststroke anxiety and to explore association of poststroke anxiety prevalence with patient age, gender, and social deprivation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study of 3831 community stroke survivors attending general practice reviews from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 in Greater Glasgow, United Kingdom. Univariate and multivariate analyses investigated the association between poststroke anxiety prevalence (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale: anxiety sub-scale [HADS-A]), age, gender, and deprivation variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six hundred eighteen (16·1%) of 3831 community-dwelling stroke survivors had definite abnormal mood on HADS-A (≥11), with 952 (31·5%) scoring ≥8. Sixty-five (35·5%) of stroke survivors aged under 50 years had definite abnormal mood on HADS-A compared with 59 (7·2%) of over 80 year olds. Three hundred forty (19·8%) of women had definite abnormal mood on HADS-A compared with 278 (13·1%) of men. Three hundred seventy-two (22·6%) of most deprived stroke survivors had definite abnormal mood on HADS-A compared with 49 (7·6%) of least deprived. Age, gender, and social deprivation all contributed significantly to HADS-A score variance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using a conservative HADS-A cutoff, a high prevalence of definite abnormal anxiety in community stroke survivors is observed. This prevalence increases markedly in younger and more socially deprived stroke survivors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Well Being, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow and Rehabilitation Assessment Directorate, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Niall M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Broomfield
authors.affiliation: Public Health Directorate, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scoular
authors.affiliation: NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde - Information Services (Partnerships), Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Welsh
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walters
authors.affiliation: Mental Health & Wellbeing, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anxiety; cognition; depression; prevalence; stroke