INFLUENCE OF GENDER AND LOCATION OF THE LESION ON ANXIETY LEVELS AFTER ISCHEMIC STROKE

• Published in: Acta medica Saliniana Vol. 38; no. 1; pp. 22 - 25
• Main Authors: Ibrahimagic, Omer C, Sinanovic, Osman, Smajlovic, Dzevdet, Burina, Adnan, Dostovic, Zikrija, Custovic, Amer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tuzla University Clinical Center Tuzla 09-06-2009
• Subjects: Anxiety
• ISSN: 0350-364X; 1840-3956
• DOI: 10.5457/ams.v38i1.30

Aim: To analyze anxiety in patients within 48 hours and 15th day after the ischemic stroke (IS) in relation to gender and location of the lesion.Patients and Methods: We analyzed 40 patients (mean age 65.3±10.3 years) with gender ratio 20:20. Mean age of hospitalized women was 66.35±7.31 years and men 64.2±12.68 years (p=0.5). IS was verified by computerized tomography (CT) of the brain in all patients. Anxiety level was measured with self estimated Zung scale. Score 50 and higher was verification of anxiety. Criteria made by Domasio were used to determine location of the IS.Results: Mean value on anxiety within 48 hours was 44.4 ± 8.8 and 42.2 ± 7.7 15th day after the IS (p=0.237). In 12 (30%) patients anxiety was found during the first and in 10 (25%) during the second evaluation. Women had higher level of anxiety with significant gender differences within first 48 hours (47.75 ± 8.4 : 41.05 ± 7.9) (p=0.013). In 9 (45%) female patients and 3 (15%) male patients anxiety was present within 48 hours from disease onset (p=0.024). Mean level of anxiety 15th day after the stroke in women was 45.7 ± 8.34 what was significantly different to 38.7 ± 5.24 in men (p=0.0029). In 9 (45%) women and 1 (5%) men mild to moderate anxiety was present (p=0.015). Concerning the circulation (anterior/posterior) and side of lesion (right/left hemisphere) there were no significant differences in level of anxiety in patients with IS (p=0.583; p=0.678 and p=0.207; p=0.27, respectively) neither within 48 hours nor 15th day after the disease onset.Conclusion: Gender has significant influence on anxiety rising within 48 hours and 15th day after the ischemic stroke (IS). Women have higher level of anxiety at both periods of measurements. Number of anxious patients is somewhat higher within 48 hours after the stroke but it is not significantly lower 15th day after the IS as well. Location of IS has no significant influence on anxiety after IS.