FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIME-BASED PHENOMENOLOGY OF POST-STROKE FATIGUE OVER THE FIRST YEAR AFTER STROKE...

Aim - analyze factors associated with certain time-based types of post-stroke fatigue (PSF) over the first year after stroke occurrence. There were examined patients consequently in definite time points after ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes: at hospital stay (234 patients), at 1 month (203), at 3 months (176), at 6 months (156), at 9 months (139) and at 12 months (128). PSF and certain PSF domains were measured by fatigue assessment scale and multidimensional fatigue inventory-20 scale. All PSF cases were divided as early PSF (presented only within the first month after stroke), persistent PSF (presented within the first post-stroke month and later) and late PSF (appeared only at three months observation or later). In univariate logistic regression analysis there were no any significant associations between risk of every time-based PSF types and majority of studied factors. On the other hand, Fazekas scale score was significantly associated with higher risk of persistence of global and mental PSF. Post-stroke functional disability, according to modified Rankin scale, was significantly associated with increased risk of global and physical PSF persistence. Mild cognitive impairments were associated with increased risk of global and mental PSF persistence. The presence of depressive signs at 1 month and 3 months after stroke was significantly associated with increased risk of late PSF (due to increased risk of various PSF components). Management of post-stroke functional abnormalities, mild cognitive impairments and depressive signs probably may be helpful for prevention of early PSF persistence and development of late PSF.