High frequency of cognitive dysfunction before stroke among older people

OBJECTIVES: We examined cognitive functions before and in acute phase of stroke studying frequency and profile of cognitive impairment and relationships between cognitive status. METHODS: Seventy-four patients with early phase after stroke and 49 healthy controls were included and examined using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and a battery of neuropsychological tests. Cognitive status before stroke-onset was investigated using Cognitive Impairment Questionnaire. RESULTS: Cognitive impairments were present in 96% of patients after stroke onset using the battery of neuropsychological tests and in 39% of patients using the MMSE, but in only 9% of controls. Seventy-six percent exhibited reduced executive function and 75% reduced psychomotor tempo. Cognitive dysfunction was present in 52% before stroke onset without any impact on the frequency of impairment in the various cognitive areas in early phase after stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive impairment is frequent before the onset of stroke among older people and may partially explain the very high frequency of cognitive impairment observed after stroke onset.