title: Poststroke Aphasia Frequency, Recovery, and Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
abstract: To conduct a systematic review to elucidate the frequency, recovery, and associated outcomes for poststroke aphasia over the long-term.
  
  
  
  Using the Cochrane Stroke Strategy, we searched 10 databases, 13 journals, 3 conferences, and the gray literature.
  
  
  
  Our a priori protocol criteria included unselected samples of adult stroke patients from randomized controlled trials or consecutive cohorts. Two independent reviewers rated abstracts and articles for exclusion or inclusion, resolving discrepancies by consensus.
  
  
  
  We documented aphasia frequencies by stroke type and setting, and computed odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for outcomes.
  
  
  
  We retrieved 2168 citations, reviewed 248 articles, and accepted 50. Median frequencies for mixed stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic) were 30% and 34% for acute and rehabilitation settings, respectively. Frequencies by stroke type were lowest for acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (9%) and highest for acute ischemic stroke (62%) when arrival to the hospital was ≤3 hours from stroke onset. Articles monitoring aphasia for 1 year demonstrated aphasia frequencies 2% to 12% lower than baseline. Negative outcomes associated with aphasia included greater odds of in-hospital death (OR=2.7; 95% CI, 2.4-3.1) and longer mean length of stay in days (mean=1.6; 95% CI, 1.0-2.3) in acute settings. Patients with aphasia had greater disability from 28 days (OR=1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.7) to 2 years (OR=1.7; 95% CI, 1.6-2.0) than those without aphasia. By 2 years, they used more rehabilitation services (OR=1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.6) and returned home less frequently (OR=1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.7).
  
  
  
  Reported frequencies of poststroke aphasia range widely, depending on stroke type and setting. Because aphasia is associated with mortality, disability, and use of health services, we recommend long-term interdisciplinary vigilance in the management of aphasia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: heather.flowers@utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Heather L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Flowers
authors.affiliation: Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Stacey A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Skoretz
authors.affiliation: Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Frank L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rochon
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jiming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Keys (CAMKeys) Center, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Flamand-Roze
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Health Care and Outcomes Research, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martino
mesh_terms: D001037:Aphasia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007902:Length of Stay; D020521:Stroke / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality
keywords: Aphasia; Outcome assessment (health care); Rehabilitation; Review; Stroke