Cognitive function is an important determinant of employment amongst young ischaemic stroke survivors with good physical recovery

• Background and purpose This cross-sectional cohort study aims at investigating young ischaemic stroke survivors with good physical recovery 7 years post-stroke in order to analyze the relation between late cognitive ability and employment. Methods Consecutive ischaemic stroke survivors participating in the Sahlgrenska Academy Study on Ischemic Stroke, <55 years of age at stroke onset, and with no or minimal persisting neurological deficits corresponding to a score <= 2 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at long-term follow-up 7 years post-stroke were included. At this follow-up, the participants were assessed with respect to general cognitive function, processing speed, executive functions, cardiovascular risk factors, self-reported employment, cognitive difficulties, fatigue, depressive symptoms, anxiety and physical function. Results Seven years post-stroke 112/142 (79%) had part-time or full-time work and 30/142 (21%) had full-time disability pension or sick leave. Compared to those with full-time disability pension or sick leave, participants with current employment demonstrated significantly better performance with respect to general cognitive function and processing speed, and significantly lower self-ratings for cognitive difficulties, physical limitations, fatigue and depressed mood. Multivariable logistic regression selected self-rated memory (odds ratio [OR] 2.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61-4.21), processing speed (OR 3.50, 95% CI 1.67-7.33) and self-rated communication skills (OR 3.46, 95% CI 1.75-6.85) as most important correlates (area under the curve 0.83-0.87) of having current employment. Conclusion This study indicates that cognitive dysfunction is an important contributor to long-term work disability amongst young stroke survivors with good physical recovery.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

cognition

employment

long-term outcome

young ischaemic stroke

higher cerebral functions

long-term prognosis

work

return

validity

adults

reliability

population

screen

scale

Neurosciences & Neurology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)