Anxiety and depressive symptoms during hospitalisation are strong predictors of post-stroke anxiety: a prospective study

Background. Ischemic stroke is a relevant cause of mortality in Brazil and worldwide. Anxiety symptoms after stroke are frequent and their predictors still need to be elucidated. The present research aims to investigate the frequency and predictors of post-stroke anxiety (PSA). Methods. A prospective cohort study was carried out in a tertiary centre of neurology, including 148 patients with acute ischemic stroke who were interviewed between January 2020 and February 2021. The first interview, during hospitalisation, included the investigation of clinical, sociodemographic, and radiological variables and the application of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Subsequently, the HADS and the modified Rankin Scale were reapplied 90 days after stroke by phone interview. Predictor variables were investigated by applying univariate and multivariate linear regression. Data were expressed by 'Beta', 'R square' and 'P' values. Variables that demonstrated P <= 0.20 in the univariate linear regression were included in a multivariate linear regression model. Results. The frequencies of anxiety symptoms during hospitalisation and 90 days after stroke were high (33.8 and 23.7%, respectively). Anxiety and depressive symptoms during hospitalisation (B: 0.441; P < 0.01 and B: 0.241; P < 0.01, respectively) and depression 90 days after stroke (B: 0.394; P < 0.01) were strong predictors of PSA. Conclusions. This study identified a high frequency of PSA. Psychiatric symptoms during hospitalisation was demonstrated to be a strong predictor of PSA. This highlights the importance of the early recognition of psychiatric symptoms, even during hospitalisation, to timely treat those patients who might experience a positive impact on their recovery.