scholarly journals Psychological Complications at 3 Months Following Stroke: Prevalence and Correlates Among Stroke Survivors in Lebanon

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walaa Khazaal ◽  
Maram Taliani ◽  
Celina Boutros ◽  
Linda Abou-Abbas ◽  
Hassan Hosseini ◽  
...  

Introduction: Stroke continues to be a common and debilitating medical condition which has a significant effect on public health as the second primary source of mortality and the third major root of disability worldwide. A wide range of complications affecting the survivor's life and interfering with the recovery process usually follows stroke; anxiety and depression are considered one of the major complications post-stroke. This study sought to investigate the short-term psychological consequences of stroke among Lebanese survivors and to identify their correlates.Methods: This study is a prospective observational epidemiological study. 143 stroke patients admitted to hospitals in Mount Lebanon and Beirut between February and May 2018.were included in this study. Assessments of complications were carried out at 3 months post-stroke by completing a 30-min face-to-face interview questionnaire. The survey included the socio-demographic -characteristics of the patients, their lifestyle, health indicators, the severity of stroke, and the post-stroke consequences disturbing their quality of life.Results: Complications were recorded for 117 stroke survivors (mean age, 72.46 years; 60.7% male). The analysis of results 3 months post stroke showed that 29 survivors suffered from neuropathic pain (24.8%), 110 (94%) suffered from fatigue, and 81 (69.2%) from cognitive impairment. High rates of anxiety (51.3%), and depression (76.1%) were recorded as well. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that there is a significant association between depression and the following variables: anxiety (OR = 4.814, p-value = 0.017), pain (OR = 6.868, p-value = 0.002), and physical activity, which acts as a protective factor against depression (OR = 0.261; p-value = 0.029). However, the results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis for anxiety indicated that immobility-related complications increase the risk of anxiety by 8.457 in sedentary duration longer than 12 h (ORa = 8.457, p-value = 0.01). Furthermore, patients with neuropathic pain (24.8%) are 3.858 times more likely to have anxiety compared to patients without neuropathic pain (ORa = 3.858, p-value = 0.019).Conclusion: Using a patient-centered structure more interventions should take place to evaluate stroke survivors' outcomes, and organize rehabilitation services that deal with stroke consequences, particularly high anxiety and depression levels, which are prevalent and persistent among the Lebanese stroke survivors.

Author(s):  
Rodgers Makwinja ◽  
Ishmael Kosamu ◽  
Chikumbusko Kaonga

(1) Background: Water resources at Chia lagoon experience possible threat to its sustainability. Communities are seeking alternatives to improve water quality at the lagoon. The study evaluated the extent at which local communities are WTP to improve water quality at Chia lagoon and the influencing factors. (2) Methods: A study was conducted at Chia lagoon, Western Part of Lake Malawi from November, 2015 to March, 2016. Wide range of data collection approaches such as household surveys, exploratory surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and field observation were employed. A sample of 240 households were selected randomly. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors influence WTP. (3) Results: Out of 240 respondents, 57.4% expressed WTP. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant (P<0.01 or P<0.05) relationship between demographic (Gender, age, literacy level), social-economic (Land ownership, main agriculture water source and income) and institution (civic education and social network, extension, water user rights) factors and WTP. (4) Conclusion: The findings from this study provide significant clues for further research and baseline information for local government and local communities in development of more effective and holistic approaches to improve water quality.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Dong Zhai ◽  
Jia-Xing Yu ◽  
Yong-Jie Ma ◽  
Si-Shi Xiang ◽  
Gui-Lin Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Studies on anxiety and depression in unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) patients after treatment via endovascular intervention are rare and controversial. We aimed to explore the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Chinese patients with UIAs treated by endovascular intervention and to identify which factors contribute to the development of these symptoms.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on anxiety and depression in patients who underwent endovascular treatment for UIAs using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The demographic, clinical and radiological data for all patients were retrospectively collected from the aneurysm database and medical records. Moreover, we utilized data from a large sample of 200 UIA patients and multivariate logistic regression analysis to investigate the risk factors for anxiety and depression in these patients. Candidate variables with P values less than 0.20 in univariate analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results: Two hundred patients returned completed questionnaires in this study. Of these 200 patients, 34 (17.0%) suffered from anxiety and 31 (15.5%) suffered from depression 30.67±8.6 months after being discharged. The multivariate analysis results indicated that treatment costs exceeding the annual household income was significantly associated with anxiety (AOR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.08~5.41, P= 0.03). Shorter sleep times were significantly associated with anxiety (AOR= 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06~2.14, P= 0.02) and depression (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.14~2.29, P= 0.007).Conclusion: The prevalences of anxiety and depression in UIA patients treated by endovascular intervention were 17.0% and 15.5%, respectively. Treatment costs exceeding the annual household income was significantly associated with anxiety. Shorter sleep times were significantly associated with anxiety and depression. Our findings provide valuable evidence for the clinical and psychological management of these patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Liao ◽  
Zhengrong Yin ◽  
Juanjuan Xu ◽  
Zhilei Lv ◽  
Sufei Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can shed virus, thereby causing human-to-human transmission, and the viral RNA shedding is commonly used as a proxy measure for infectivity. Methods We retrospectively reviewed confirmed cases of COVID-19 who attended the fever clinic of Wuhan Union Hospital from January 14 to February 24. In terms of the viral RNA shedding (median values) at first visit, patients were divided into a high–viral RNA shedding group and a low–viral RNA shedding group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to investigate the correlation between viral RNA shedding and clinical features. Results A total of 918 consecutive COVID-19 patients were enrolled, and severe patients made up 26.1%. After univariate and multivariate logistic regression, advanced age (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01–1.03; P = .001), having severe chronic diseases (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.03–2.01; P = .04), and severe illness (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.12–2.28; P = .01) were independent risk factors for high viral RNA shedding. Shorter time interval from symptom onset to viral detection was a protective factor for viral RNA shedding (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94–0.99; P = .01). Compared with mild patients, severe patients have higher virus shedding over a long period of time after symptom onset (P = .01). Conclusions Outpatients who were old, had severe illness, and had severe underlying diseases had high viral RNA shedding.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kadieann Sterling ◽  
Peter Langhorne ◽  
Mary J Macleod ◽  
Melanie Turner

Introduction: Several studies have observed suboptimal prescribing of oral anticoagulants (OAC) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This occurs especially in older patients, despite higher risk for first or recurrent stroke. The decision not to recommend anticoagulation may be influenced by a wide range of factors. Aims: To determine the patient factors (age, gender, living circumstances and comorbidities) associated with post-stroke OAC prescribing in a national cohort of stroke survivors with atrial fibrillation. Methods: A retrospective cohort observational study, using a linked dataset of the Scottish Stroke Care Audit (2010-15), Prescribing Information System and the Scottish Morbidity Record. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to calculate the odds of OAC prescribing within six months post-stroke, adjusting for the following patient factors: age, gender, deprivation, year of admission, stroke subtype, stroke severity (six simple variables), comorbidity count and concomitant medication use. Results: Overall, 8129 stroke survivors had confirmed AF; 4817 (59.3%) were prescribed OAC within the six months post-stroke. Older patients were less likely to be prescribed an OAC (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 0.97, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.96-0.98). There was no significant difference between male and female OAC prescribing (aOR 0.92, CI 0.79 - 1.07) or whether living alone before stroke (aOR 0.928, CI 0.78 - 1.08). Independent in activities of daily living before stroke (aOR 2.09, CI 1.69 - 2.59) and orientated at baseline assessment (aOR 1.51, CI 1.25 - 1.84) were both associated with more OAC prescriptions. Patients who lived in less deprived areas were more likely to be prescribed an OAC. Number of comorbidities significantly influenced prescribing; patients with 1-3 comorbidities (aOR 0.71, CI 0.60 - 0.84), and ≥ 4 comorbidities (aOR 0.46, CI 0.34 - 0.625) respectively were less likely to be prescribed an OAC compared to patients with no comorbidities. Conclusions: Lower OAC prescribing in older age may also reflect prior dependence, social deprivation and multiple comorbidities. Promoting appropriate stroke prevention in higher risk patients who may still benefit from OAC requires ongoing attention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 568-576
Author(s):  
Michael Ragheb ◽  
Ashish H. Shah ◽  
Sarah Jernigan ◽  
Tulay Koru-Sengul ◽  
John Ragheb

OBJECTIVEHydrocephalus is recognized as a common disabling pediatric disease afflicting infants and children disproportionately in the developing world, where access to neurosurgical care is limited and risk of perinatal infection is high. This surgical case series describes the Project Medishare Hydrocephalus Specialty Surgery (PMHSS) program experience treating hydrocephalus in Haiti between 2008 and 2015.METHODSThe authors conducted a retrospective review of all cases involving children treated for hydrocephalus within the PMHSS program in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, from 2008 through 2015. All relevant epidemiological information of children treated were prospectively collected including relevant demographics, birth history, hydrocephalus etiology, head circumference, and operative notes. All appropriate associations and statistical tests were performed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.RESULTSAmong the 401 children treated within PMHSS, postinfectious hydrocephalus (PIH) accounted for 39.4% (n = 158) of cases based on clinical, radiographic, and endoscopic findings. The majority of children with hydrocephalus in Haiti were male (54.8%, n = 197), born in the rainy season (59.7%, n = 233), and born in a coastal/inland location (43.3%, n = 61). The most common surgical intervention was endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) (45.7%, n = 175). Multivariate logistic regression analysis yielded coastal birth location (OR 3.76, 95% CI 1.16–12.18) as a statistically significant predictor of PIH. Increasing head circumference (adjusted OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.99–1.13) demonstrated a slight trend toward significance with the incidence of PIH.CONCLUSIONSThis information will provide the foundation for future clinical and public health studies to better understand hydrocephalus in Haiti. The 39.4% prevalence of PIH falls within observed rates in Africa as does the apparently higher prevalence for those born during the rainy season. Although PIH was the most frequent etiology seen in almost all birth locations, the potential relationship with geography noted in this series will be the focus of further research in an effort to understand the link between climate and PIH in Haiti. The ultimate goal will be to develop an appropriate public health strategy to reduce the burden of PIH on the children of Haiti.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiann-Der Lee ◽  
Ya-Han Hu ◽  
Meng Lee ◽  
Yen-Chu Huang ◽  
Ya-Wen Kuo ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Recurrent ischemic strokes increase the risk of disability and mortality. The role of conventional risk factors in recurrent strokes may change due to increased awareness of prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to explore the potential risk factors besides conventional ones which may help to affect the advances in future preventive concepts associated with one-year stroke recurrence (OSR). Methods: We analyzed 6,632 adult patients with ischemic stroke. Differences in clinical characteristics between patients with and without OSR were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CART) analyses. Results: Among the study population, 525 patients (7.9%) had OSR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex (OR 1.243, 95% CI 1.025 – 1.506), age (OR 1.015, 95% CI 1.007 - 1.023), and a prior history of ischemic stroke (OR 1.331, 95% CI 1.096 – 1.615) were major factors associated with OSR. CART analysis further identified age and a prior history of ischemic stroke were important factors for OSR when classified the patients into three subgroups (with risks of OSR of 8.8%, 3.8%, and 12.5% for patients aged > 57.5 years, ≤ 57.5 years/with no prior history of ischemic stroke, and ≤ 57.5 years/with a prior history of ischemic stroke, respectively). Conclusions: Male sex, age, and a prior history of ischemic stroke could increase the risk of OSR by multivariate logistic regression analysis, and CART analysis further demonstrated that patients with a younger age (≤ 57.5 years) and a prior history of ischemic stroke had the highest risk of OSR.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Kotera

Abstract Background Postanesthetic shivering is an unpleasant adverse event in surgical patients. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug has been reported to be useful in preventing postanesthetic shivering in several previous studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of flurbiprofen axetil being a prodrug of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for preventing postanesthetic shivering in patients undergoing gynecologic laparotomy surgeries. Method This study is a retrospective observational study. I collected data from patients undergoing gynecologic laparotomy surgeries performed between October 1, 2019, and September 30, 2020, at Kumamoto City Hospital. All the patients were managed with general anesthesia with or without epidural analgesia. The administration of intravenous 50 mg flurbiprofen axetil for postoperative pain control at the end of the surgery was left to the individual anesthesiologist. The patients were divided into two groups: those who had received intravenous flurbiprofen axetil (flurbiprofen group) and those who had not received intravenous flurbiprofen axetil (non-flurbiprofen group), and I compared the frequency of postanesthetic shivering between the two groups. Additionally, the factors presumably associated with postanesthetic shivering were collected from the medical charts. Intergroup differences were assessed with the χ2 test with Yates’ correlation for continuity category variables. The Student’s t test was used to test for differences in continuous variables. Furthermore, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to elucidate the relationship between the administration of flurbiprofen axetil and the incidence of PAS. Results I retrospectively examined the cases of 141 patients aged 49 ± 13 (range 21-84) years old. The overall postanesthetic shivering rate was 21.3% (30 of the 141 patients). The frequency of postanesthetic shivering in the flurbiprofen group (n = 31) was 6.5%, which was significantly lower than that in the non-flurbiprofen group (n = 110), 25.5% (p value = 0.022). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that administration of flurbiprofen axetil was independently associated with a reduced incidence of postanesthetic shivering (odds ratio 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.66, p value = 0.015). Conclusions My result suggests that intraoperative 50 mg flurbiprofen axetil administration for postoperative pain control is useful to prevent postanesthetic shivering in patients undergoing gynecologic laparotomy surgeries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahisa Handa ◽  
Akinobu Nakamura ◽  
Aika Miya ◽  
Hiroshi Nomoto ◽  
Hiraku Kameda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This study aimed to explore predictive factors of time below target glucose range (TBR) ≥ 1% among patients’ characteristics and glycemic variability (GV) indices using continuous glucose monitoring data in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study on 179 (71 female) Japanese outpatients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥ 65 years. The characteristics of the participants with TBR ≥ 1% were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses of GV indices, comprising coefficient of variation (CV), standard deviation, and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions, were performed to identify the optimal index for the identification of patients with TBR ≥ 1%. Results In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, none of the clinical characteristics, including HbA1c and C-peptide index, were independent markers for TBR ≥ 1%, while all three GV indices showed significant associations with TBR ≥ 1%. Among the three GV indices, CV showed the best performance based on the area under the curve in the ROC curve analyses. Conclusions Among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, CV reflected TBR ≥ 1% most appropriately among the GV indices examined. Trial registration UMIN-CTR: UMIN000029993. Registered 16 November 2017


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Dong ◽  
Minhui Zhu ◽  
Luguang Huang ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Hengxin Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Tissue expansion is used for scar reconstruction owing to its excellent clinical outcomes; however, the complications that emerge from tissue expansion hinder repair. Infection is considered a major complication of tissue expansion. This study aimed to analyze the perioperative risk factors for expander infection. Methods A large, retrospective, single-institution observational study was carried out over a 10-year period. The study enrolled consecutive patients who had undergone tissue expansion for scar reconstruction. Demographics, etiological data, expander-related characteristics and postoperative infection were assessed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify risk factors for expander infection. In addition, we conducted a sensitivity analysis for treatment failure caused by infection as an outcome. Results A total of 2374 expanders and 148 cases of expander infection were assessed. Treatment failure caused by infection occurred in 14 expanders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that disease duration of ≤1 year (odds ratio (OR), 2.07; p < 0.001), larger volume of expander (200–400 ml vs <200 ml; OR, 1.74; p = 0.032; >400 ml vs <200 ml; OR, 1.76; p = 0.049), limb location (OR, 2.22; p = 0.023) and hematoma evacuation (OR, 2.17; p = 0.049) were associated with a high likelihood of expander infection. Disease duration of ≤1 year (OR, 3.88; p = 0.015) and hematoma evacuation (OR, 10.35; p = 0.001) were so related to high risk of treatment failure. Conclusions The rate of expander infection in patients undergoing scar reconstruction was 6.2%. Disease duration of <1 year, expander volume of >200 ml, limb location and postoperative hematoma evacuation were independent risk factors for expander infection.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 673-681
Author(s):  
Jin Wang ◽  
Xiaojuan Guo ◽  
Wenhui Lu ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Hong Zhang ◽  
...  

Background: Vascular factors and mitochondria dysfunction contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). DL-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) has an effect in protecting mitochondria and improving microcirculation. Objective: The aim was to investigate the effect of donepezil combined NBP therapy in patients with mild-moderate AD. Methods: It was a prospective cohort study. 92 mild-moderate AD patients were classified into the donepezil alone group (n = 43) or the donepezil combined NBP group (n = 49) for 48 weeks. All patients were evaluated with Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), Clinician’s Interview-Based Impression of Change plus caregiver input (CIBIC-plus), Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) every 12 weeks. All patients were monitored for adverse events (AEs). The efficacy was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the changes of ADAS-cog score (OR = 2.778, 95% CI: [1.087, 7. 100], p = 0.033) and ADCS-ADL score (OR = 2.733, 95% CI: [1.002, 7.459], p = 0.049) had significant difference between donepezil alone group and donepezil combined NBP group, while the changes of NPI (OR = 1.145, 95% CI: [0.463, 2.829], p = 0.769), MMSE (OR = 1.563, 95% CI: [0.615, 3.971], p = 0.348) and CIBIC-plus (OR = 2.593, 95% CI: [0.696, 9.685], p = 0.156) had no significant difference. The occurrence of AEs was similar in the two groups. Conclusion: Over the 48-week treatment period, donepezil combined NBP group had slower cognitive decline and better activities of daily living in patients with mild to moderate AD. These indicated that the multi-target therapeutic effect of NBP may be a new choice for AD treatment.


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