Background and Purpose: Prior data indicate that the profile of stroke survivors differs from those with anxiety in the absence of other clinical comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of PSA and to understand factors associated with PSA in a cohort of stroke survivors. Methods: A retrospective study (August 2017-May 2018) of electronic health records from 194 ischemic stroke survivors were examined. Stroke survivors were screened for PSA using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (GAD-7; range 0-21) scale two to eight weeks post-hospitalization for stroke during a stroke clinic visit. GAD-7 scores ≥ 10 indicated moderate to severe anxiety. Examples of factors examined included medical, social, stroke severity, excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale; ESS), and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; PHQ-9). Univariable analysis were used to determine significance (p < 0.05). T-tests were used for continuous variables and the chi-square test for categorical variables. Results: Twenty-five percent of stroke survivors had a GAD-7 score ≥ 10 and significantly higher mean ESS (11 ± 5) and PHQ-9 (13 ± 6) scores (p<.0001) indicating co-morbid symptoms. Although not significantly different in this sample size, 32% of women had a GAD-7 score ≥ 10 compared to 21% men (p = .05). Stroke survivors with moderate to severe anxiety were more likely to be single, divorced, or widowed (p = 0.0006). Conclusions: PSA is common after ischemic stroke and may occur more frequently in women and those who are single, divorced, or widowed. Post-stroke trials of psychological interventions should consider PSA and its relationship to excessive daytime sleepiness and depression as well as treatment approaches for concurrent co-morbid conditions.

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