Caregiver strain and fatigue are independent determinants of anxiety among patients early after stroke. Issue 3 (16th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van der Velde, Mark Y.; Aerden, Leo A.M.; van Oort, Andrea; Bodde, Karin; Rambaran Mishre, Radha; Oosterveer, Daniëlla M.
• Is Part Of: Neuropsychological rehabilitation. Volume 33:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: 428
• Page End: 439
• Publication Date: 2023-03-16
• Subjects: Stroke -- anxiety -- depression -- fatigue -- caregivers; Brain damage -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Clinical neuropsychology -- Periodicals; 617.4810443
• DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2021.2023583
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-2011

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Anxiety and depression are common mental health disorders in stroke patients, and often co-occur. However, in contrast to depression, there is limited research about anxiety after stroke, although impact of anxiety can be substantial. Therefore, this cross-sectional observational study investigated determinants of anxiety after stroke and compared them with determinants of depression after stroke. Stroke surviving patients ( n = 284) were seen six weeks after discharge from the hospital or rehabilitation setting. Of these, 238 patients answered all questions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale measuring anxiety (HADS-a) and 239 patients answered all questions measuring depression (HADS-d). Step-wise regression was used to identify independent determinants of anxiety and depression after stroke. Higher levels of anxiety were associated with a higher caregiver strain ( p < 0.01) and more fatigue ( p < 0.05). In contrast, higher levels of depression were associated with lower life satisfaction ( p < 0.001) and less daily activities ( p < 0.05), but also more fatigue ( p < 0.001). Hence, our results show that both fatigue and caregiver strain are associated with higher levels of anxiety, but of these only fatigue is also associated with higher levels of depression. Practitioners should therefore ask for both anxiety and depression symptoms in stroke patients.