[Psychocognitive impairment evaluation in early post-stroke period]

Abstract

There are many interconnections between pathological mechanism involved in production of dementia and cognitive impairment even in stroke patients. Early detection and management of these disorders provide better prevention of possible dementia.

Aim: To explore the factors which can affect psychocognitive impairment of poststroke patients.

Method: using the MMSE (mini-mental state examination), GDS (Geriatric Depression Scale), NIH (National Institute of Health) Stroke Scale we evaluated 47 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke, admitted in I Neurological Clinic of "N. Oblu" Hospital from Iassy.

Results: Our patients had relative important cognitive impairment (11 individuals--MMSE < 20, but only 4 below 10) and important depression (GDS > 10 in 35 cases and > 20 in 7 cases). We found correlation between some risk factors and cognitive impairment / depression (hypertension, overweight, dyslipidemia, diabetes, arrhythmia, carotid system lesion).

Conclusion: Cerebrovascular disease can produce important cognitive and psychological impairment, which we can easily evaluate using some "bedside" tools MMSE, GDS.