Article

Stroke is a primary cause of death and disability in
upper-middle-income countries such as Colombia.
Given the lack of comprehensive
rehabilitation for stroke patients in Colombia, there is a need to assess
longitudinal mental health problems poststroke in this region. OBJECTIVE: To
compare the course of mental health in stroke patients to healthy controls over
the first year poststroke in Ibague, Colombia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
SETTING: The Psychological Attention Center of Antonio Narino University in
Ibague, Colombia. PARTICIPANTS: Stroke patients (n = 50) and age- and
gender-matched healthy controls (n = 50). METHODS: Patients and controls
completed self-report Spanish versions of demographic information, injury-related
characteristics, and mental health questionnaires MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:
Outcomes assessed included mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress) at 3,
6, and 12 months poststroke. RESULTS: Hierarchical linear models suggested that
stroke patients had worse depression and anxiety over time than controls (P <
.001). Among patients, depression and anxiety decreased over time (P < .001),
whereas stress increased over time (P < .01). The findings suggest that although
anxiety and depression improved over time in stroke patients, their mental health
remained significantly lower than that of controls. CONCLUSIONS: This is the
first study to examine the course of mental health over the first year poststroke
in Latin America, specifically in Ibague, Colombia. Despite the improvements in
anxiety and depression over the first year poststroke, patient anxiety and
depression were still worse in comparison to those in healthy controls. The
current findings indicate a need for rehabilitation services in Colombia,
especially targeting mental health issues.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.
CI - Copyright (c) 2017 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
- Colombie

Langue : ANGLAIS