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Dementia and cognitive impairment three months after stroke
S Madureira1, M Guerreiro, J M Ferro
1Stroke Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisboa, Portugal. jferro@mail.telepac.pt
European Journal of Neurology
|January 11, 2002
Summary
Cognitive impairment is common in stroke survivors, affecting 55% of patients three months post-stroke. Dementia was infrequent but associated with older age, female gender, and lower education.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuropsychology
Background:
- Stroke survivors frequently experience cognitive impairment.
- Identifying determinants of post-stroke cognitive deficits is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cognitive function in stroke survivors.
- To identify clinical factors associated with post-stroke cognitive impairment.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 237 stroke survivors using neuropsychological tests (MMSE, cognitive domain battery, HDRS, BDS) three months post-stroke.
- Assessed cognitive performance, including memory, other domains, and dementia.
Main Results:
- 55% of patients (131/237) showed cognitive deficits.
- Dementia occurred in 6% and was linked to female gender, older age, and lower education.
- Memory deficits were associated with older age, lower education, and left-sided lesions.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairment is prevalent in middle-aged stroke survivors three months after stroke.
- Dementia is less common but linked to specific demographic and lesion factors.