Frequency of anxiety after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Duh!! Of course stroke survivors are going to have anxiety, your doctor knows you have at best a 10% chance of full recovery. So you can sense their equivocation  and bluster because they have no clue what to tell you. Or they can be like my doctor and tell you absolutely nothing. I still haven't and never will forgive him.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-4949.2012.00906.x/abstract;jsessionid=F269660EE9A9C28E0A59F58570854B82.d02t04

Background and purpose

Negative psychological outcomes occur frequently after stroke(Call it nocebo); however, there is uncertainty regarding the occurrence of anxiety disorders and anxiety symptoms after stroke. A systematic review of observational studies was conducted that assessed the frequency of anxiety in stroke patients using a diagnostic or screening tool.

Summary of review

Databases were searched up to March 2011. A random effects model was used to summarize the pooled estimate. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. Forty-four published studies comprising 5760 stroke patients were included. The overall pooled estimate of anxiety disorders assessed by clinical interview was 18% (95%confidence interval 8–29%, I² = 97%) and was 25% (95% confidence interval 21–28%, I²  = 90%) for anxiety assessed by rating scale. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale ‘probable’ and ‘possible’ cutoff scores were the most widely used assessment criteria. The combined rate of anxiety by time after stroke was: 20% (95% confidence interval 13–27%, I² = 96%) within one-month of stroke; 23% (95% confidence interval 19–27%, I² = 84%) one to five-months after stroke; and 24% (95% confidence interval 19–29%, I² = 89%) six-months or more after stroke.

Conclusion

Anxiety after stroke occurs frequently although methodological limitations in the primary studies may limit generalizability. Given the association between prevalence rates and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety cutoff used in studies, reported rates could in fact underrepresent the extent of the problem. Additionally, risk factors for anxiety, its impact on patient outcomes, and effects in tangent with depression remain unclear.