Stroke complicAtions After TraUmatic expeRieNces and Stress - a Retrospective Cohort Study

Neuropsychiatric consequences of brain ischemia play a critical role in shaping long-term stroke outcome. Unfortunately, however, as of now, clinical research and clinical practice have not adequately addressed this growing challenge. A good case in point is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress symptoms may increase the risk of cardiovascular events (Sumner et al., 2015). Moreover, unbeknownst to most clinical neurologists, a significant portion (approximately 25%) of their stroke patients develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within the first year post-event. PTSD-related symptoms after an acute coronary syndrome increase the risk of recurrent cardiac events and mortality (Edmondson et al., 2012). Similarly, stroke-induced PTSD has been linked with worse long term stroke outcome, in particular, recurrent stroke, greater disability, non-adherence to medications, and comorbidities (Goldfinger et al., 2014; Kronish et al., 2012).

For a period of 22 months, all stroke patients treated at the Charité Medical Center will be screened retrospectively 9-13 months after a first-ever ischemic stroke (~2000). All eligible patients will be contacted by mail 9-13 months after their hospital stay with the request that they complete the questionnaires. The mailing will also include an information statement, the consent form, as well as a stamped return envelope.