Acute and long-term impairments regarding emotional symptoms and quality of life in patients suffering from transient ischemic attack and stroke.

This study follows the hypothesis that TIA patients might exhibit non-physical symptoms affecting individual QoL. Methods: In a prospective single-center observational study, IS patients (n = 73) were compared with TIA patients (n = 24) regarding their neurological deficit, ES and QoL, whereas the latter were evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Short Form 36 Heath Survey (SF-36). Assessments were conducted six times within a one-year follow-up period. Results: Overall, anxiety and depression decreased over time, while anxiety decreased more substantially. TIA patients showed similar levels of anxiety and depression when compared to IS patients. ES were detectable very early after the event and remained throughout the follow-up period in both groups. ES were associated with an impaired QoL including non-functional dimensions, while the strongest interrelations were observed for TIA patients, emphasizing interrelations between QoL and anxiety. Discussion: This study indicates that ES after TIA are comparable to the emotional burden after IS. ES after TIA were associated with QoL, pointing out their crucial role for individual well-being. Although confirmation in larger studies is necessary, these data underpin the need for early clinical awareness regarding non-physical symptoms in TIA patients. PMID: 33478369 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Neurological Research - Category: Neurology Tags: Neurol Res Source Type: research