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[Pseudobulbar affect in stroke patients in Argentina]
Matías Alet1, Constanza Segamarchi, Santiago Claverie
1Sección de Enfermedades Cerebrovasculares, Servicio de Neurología. Hospital J.M. Ramos Mejía, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Vertex (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
|April 23, 2021
Summary
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is underdiagnosed after stroke. This study found PBA in 8 patients, highlighting the need for screening and differential diagnosis from depression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) involves exaggerated emotional responses like laughter or crying after neurological events.
- PBA affects 11%-34% of post-stroke patients but is often underdiagnosed.
- This study aimed to determine the frequency of PBA in a stroke patient cohort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) in patients following a stroke.
- To assess the utility of specific scales in diagnosing PBA in this population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study conducted from June 2017 to June 2018.
- Evaluated 50 patients with acute and chronic stroke, excluding those with severe psychiatric illness or cognitive impairment.
- Utilized the Pathological Laughing and Crying Scale (PLACS) and the Center for Neurological Studies-Lability Scale (CNS-LS) for diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Of 50 patients, 8 (16%) met the diagnostic criteria for PBA (2 in chronic stroke, 6 in acute stroke).
- Positive PLACS results were 21% (Group A) and 29% (Group B); positive CNS-LS results were 58% (Group A) and 26% (Group B).
- Three patients diagnosed with PBA also had co-occurring depression.
Conclusions:
- Pseudobulbar affect requires screening in stroke survivors.
- Differentiating PBA from post-stroke depression is crucial.
- Relying on a single diagnostic scale may be insufficient for accurate PBA assessment.
