Apathy after stroke: potential risk factors and
magnetic resonance imaging markers
WK Tang1, LKS Wong2, VCT Mok2,
WCW Chu3, DF Wang3
1 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of
Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2 Department of Medicine and
Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
3 Department of Imaging and
Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of
Hong Kong
1. The prevalence of post-stroke apathy (PSA) at 3
months was 24.7% among 267 stroke survivors.
2. Risk factors associated with PSA were older age, male sex, history of hyperlipidaemia, depressive symptoms, a lower level of cognitive function, and functional disability. A pontine acute infarct on magnetic resonance images was an independent predictor of PSA at 3 months.
3. PSA persisted in 51.1% of 47 stroke patients at 9 months and 41.7% of 12 patients at 15 months.
4. The onset of PSA can be delayed. Among 201 non-PSA patients at 3 months, 21 developed PSA at the later stage of rehabilitation (9 or 15 months).
5. The psychological burden of PSA should not be neglected. Early identification and treatment are essential.
2. Risk factors associated with PSA were older age, male sex, history of hyperlipidaemia, depressive symptoms, a lower level of cognitive function, and functional disability. A pontine acute infarct on magnetic resonance images was an independent predictor of PSA at 3 months.
3. PSA persisted in 51.1% of 47 stroke patients at 9 months and 41.7% of 12 patients at 15 months.
4. The onset of PSA can be delayed. Among 201 non-PSA patients at 3 months, 21 developed PSA at the later stage of rehabilitation (9 or 15 months).
5. The psychological burden of PSA should not be neglected. Early identification and treatment are essential.