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Aim: To explore the impact of cognitive impairment poststroke on outcomes at 5 years. Methods: Five-year follow-up of the Action on Secondary Prevention Interventions and Rehabilitation in Stroke (ASPIRE-S) prospective cohort. Two hundred twenty-six ischemic stroke survivors completed Montreal Cognitive Assessments at 6 months poststroke. Outcomes at 5 years included independence in activities of daily living, receipt of informal care, quality of life, and depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed using logistic and linear regression models. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs; 95% confidence interval [CI]) and β coefficients (95% CI) are reported. Results: One hundred one stroke survivors were followed up at 5 years. Cognitive impairment at 6 months was independently associated with worse quality of life (B [95% CI]: −0.595 [−0.943 to −0.248]), lower levels of independence (B [95% CI]: −3.605 [−5.705 to −1.505]), increased likelihood of receiving informal care (OR [95% CI]: 6.41 [1.50-27.32]), and increased likelihood of depressive symptoms (OR [95% CI]: 4.60 [1.22-17.40]). Conclusion: Cognitive impairment poststroke is associated with a range of worse outcomes. More effective interventions are needed to improve outcomes for this vulnerable group of patients.

BackgroundControl of vascular risk factors is essential for secondary stroke prevention. However, adherence to secondary prevention medications is often suboptimal, and may be affected by cognitive impairment. Few studies to date have examined associations between cognitive impairment and medication adherence post-stroke, and none have considered whether adherence to secondary prevention medications might affect subsequent cognitive function. The aim of this study was to explore prospective associations between cognitive impairment and medication non-adherence post-stroke.MethodsA five-year follow-up of 108 stroke survivors from the Action on Secondary Prevention Interventions and Rehabilitation in Stroke (ASPIRE-S) prospective observational cohort study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment at 6 months, and a neuropsychological test battery at 5 years. Adherence to antihypertensive, antithrombotic and lipid-lowering medications was assessed using prescription refill data.ResultsThe prevalence of cognitive impairment at five years was 35.6%. The prevalence of non-adherence ranged from 15.1% for lipid-lowering agents to 30.2% for antithrombotics. There were no statistically significant associations between medication non-adherence in the first year post-stroke and cognitive impairment at 5 years, nor between cognitive impairment at 6 months and non-adherence at 5 years. Stroke survivors with cognitive impairment were significantly more likely to report receiving help with taking medications [OR (95% CI): 4.84 (1.17, 20.07)].ConclusionsThis is the first study to explore the potential impact of non-adherence to secondary prevention medications on cognitive impairment in stroke survivors. Findings highlight the role of family members and caregivers in assisting stroke survivors with medication administration, particularly in the context of deficits in cognitive function. Involving family members and caregivers may be a legitimate and cost-effective strategy to improve medication adherence in stroke survivors.

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