Prevalence and predictors of anxiety in an African sample of recent stroke survivors

Abstract

Objectives Studies considering emotional disturbances in the setting of stroke have primarily focused on depression and been conducted in high-income countries. Anxiety in stroke survivors, which may be associated with its own unique sets of risk factors and clinical parameters, has been rarely investigated in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We assess the characteristics of anxiety and anxiety-depression comorbidity in a SSA sample of recent stroke survivors. Materials and methods We assessed baseline data being collected as part of an intervention to improve one-year blood pressure control among recent (≤1 month) stroke survivors in SSA. Anxiety in this patient population was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), while the community screening instrument for dementia was used to evaluate cognitive functioning. Independent associations were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results Among 391 participants, clinically significant anxiety (HADS anxiety score≥11) was found in 77 (19.7%). Anxiety was comorbid with depression in 55 (14.1%). Female stroke survivors were more likely than males to have anxiety (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.5–4.0). Anxiety was significantly associated with the presence of cognitive impairment after adjusting for age, gender and education (OR=6.8, 95% CI=2.6–18.0). Conclusions One in five recent stroke survivors in SSA has clinically significant anxiety, and well over 70% of those with anxiety also have depression. Future studies will need to determine what specific impact post-stroke anxiety may have on post-stroke clinical processes and outcomes.

The Prevalence and Predictors of Post-Stroke Depression and Anxiety During COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The prevalence rate for PSA in our study is 32%, which is higher than what has been reported in one systematic review conducted by Campbell Burton and colleagues (18%), 8 or what was found in another recent study (19.7%). 20 …”

High Prevalence of Post-stroke Anxiety in Elderly Patients Following COVID-19 Outbreak

“…We found that the incidence of PSA was higher in females than in males, probably due to the characteristic that female patients are more susceptible to social stress and other psychological factors ( 8 , 27 ). A previous study assessing the symptoms of depression and anxiety in a neurology clinic also founded that female patients were more susceptible to anxiety than male ( 28 ).…”

“…Anxiety and depression are both common complications in stroke patients, but post-stroke anxiety (PSA) appears to have a more stable and lasting effect than post-stroke depression ( 5 – 7 ). It has been reported that PSA occurs in 1.8–27% of stroke survivors ( 5 , 8 – 12 ), however, the prevalence of PSA in elderly patients remains unclear.…”

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of West Africans on genetic studies of stroke: Evidence from the SIREN Study

“…1,2 As stroke genomics discoveries in SSA begin to unravel, and Africans become more technologically savvy and media exposed, there is a need to identify, document, and develop evidence-based approaches to address all potential ELSI issues related to genetic and genomic stroke research in the region. 2,6 This is a contextually significant issue in the light of the finding from the present study where 90% were willing to undergo genetic testing for stroke, >90% believed that genetic testing would enhance better understanding of stroke juxtaposed with the high frequency of stroke-related stigma, 27 post-stroke vascular cognitive impairment, 28–30 post-stroke depression and anxiety 31–33 and high early and late post-stroke mortality reported in the region. 6,34 The importance of educating genetic research participants using lay language and culturally proficient community-based participatory approaches in underserved populations has been previously emphasized.…”