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Neuropsychiatric symptoms among young stroke survivors-frequency, patterns, and associated factors
Done Indira Priya1, Rajeswari Aghoram2, Sunil K Narayan1
1Department of Neurology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, D. Nagar, Pondicherry, 605006, India.
Insights
Young stroke survivors frequently experience neuropsychiatric symptoms, most commonly depression. Multiple brain infarcts on imaging are linked to these symptoms and depression in young stroke patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in stroke survivors, but data on young stroke patients are limited.
- Understanding these symptoms in younger individuals is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and patterns of neuropsychiatric symptoms in young stroke survivors.
- To identify factors associated with these symptoms in the young stroke population.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based cross-sectional study in India included 150 young stroke survivors (< 45 years).
- Neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-12 (NPI-12).
- Self-reported depression was measured using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression (CES-D) scale.
Main Results:
- Over half (56%) of young stroke survivors reported at least one neuropsychiatric symptom.
- Depression was prevalent in 47.3% of participants.
- Multiple infarcts on imaging were significantly associated with both neuropsychiatric symptoms (OR: 3.55) and self-reported depression (OR: 3.29).
Conclusions:
- Young stroke survivors commonly experience neuropsychiatric symptoms, with depression being the most frequent.
- The presence of multiple infarcts on brain imaging is a key factor associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms and depression in this population.
Background:
Although neuropsychiatric symptoms are reported in stroke survivors, details of its prevalence and patterns among young stroke subjects are sparse.
Methods:
In a hospital-based cross-sectional study in India, we recruited 150 young stroke subjects (aged < 45 years) and their caregivers > 3 months from ictus. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-12 (NPI-12) and self-reported depression with the Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression (CES-D) scale. Descriptive statistics were used. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify associated factors. All statistical analyses were carried out using STATA ver. 14.2, StataCorp, TX, USA.
Results:
Eighty-four (56%; 95% CI: 47.7-64.1%) had ≥ 1 symptoms on the NPI-12 over median time from stroke of 2 years (IQR 2). Self-reported depression was seen in 71 (47.3%). Post-stroke epilepsy was associated with presence of at least one neuropsychiatric symptom. Dementia was associated with increased odds; and having spouse as principal caregiver with reduced odds, of self-reported depression. Multiple infarcts on imaging were associated with self-reported depression (OR: 3.29; 95%CI: 1.31-8.27) and presence of any neuropsychiatric symptom (OR: 3.55; 95% CI: 1.42-8.88).
Conclusion:
Young stroke survivors frequently have neuropsychiatric symptoms with depression being most common. Presence of multiple infarcts on imaging was associated with self-reported depression and presence of any neuropsychiatric symptom.
