TITLE:
Evolving Profile and Determinants of Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment in the 3rd Month among Kinshasa’s Survivors (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
AUTHORS:
Ken Mwamba, Benito Kazenza, Benjamin Longo Mbenza, Tharcisse Kayembe Kalula, Marie-Thérèse Sombo Ayanne, Guy Bumoko
KEYWORDS:
Stroke, Post Stroke Cognitive Disorders, MOCA
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Neuroscience,
Vol.13 No.3,
August
23,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Neurocognitive impairments are
common among stroke survivors. Despite their negative impact on daily life,
their evolving, and determinants are not fully known in our context. To determine evolving characteristics of post-stroke cognitive
impairment in the 3rd month as well as determinants among Kinshasa’s adult
survivors is the aim of this study. Methods: We sought to determine
neurocognitive deficits in the 3rd month in a prospective single-group cohort
study in 3 hospital centers in Kinshasa. Eighty-six adult stroke survivors with
a neurological and neuroimaging computerized diagnosis of stroke were assessed
using MOCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) in the first and the third months
post-stroke. Results: Neurocognitive disorders ranged from 79.1% in the
first month to 54.7% in the third month after stroke (with 4.7% with severe
decline). Gender female [AOR = 86.3 (CI95%: 2.8 - 2643.7); p 0.01], Chronic hypertension ([AOR
= 26.8 (CI95%: 2.55 - 282.55); p 0.01]), the pathological lipid profile [AOR = 8.7 (CI95%: 1.10 - 68.82); p = 0.04] and worse MOCA score at the first month ([AOR = 41.2 (CI95%:
8.13 - 2134.81); p = 0.021]) were identified as worse predictors of cognitive impairments at the
third month post-stroke. Conclusion: Post-stroke cognitive impairment is
common and decreases in the 3rd month post-stroke. Chronic hypertension,
gender, lipid profile, and the first month MOCA score are predictors of worse cognitive performance in
Kinshasa survivors. These findings suggested the role of early management in improving
cognition and the control of stroke risk factors.