ABSTRACT
VCI represents a spectrum of cognitive impairments associated with stroke, vascular brain injury, or subclinical disease ranging from the least to most severe manifestations. Few studies are available on the prevalence of post-stroke VCI and none have been conducted in Brazil.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence rates of VCI and associated risk factors in a sample of ischemic stroke patients.
Methods:
We evaluated 172 patients with ischemic stroke for cognitive impairment one year after ictus.
Results:
Patients comprised 81 women (47.1%) and had a mean age of 67.77 (7.86) years, schooling of 3.52 (2.99) years, and MMSE score of 24.94 (3.59) points. After cognitive evaluation, 4.6% were diagnosed as CIND (cognitive impairment no dementia) and 12.2% had a diagnosis of dementia (probable vascular dementia in 20 patients and one subject with cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease).
Conclusion:
The prevalence of dementia was lower than previous reports but our sample had a lower age than others, while a 12 month-period of follow-up prevented interference from associated neurodegenerative disorders.
Key words:
vascular cognitive impairment; cognitive impairment no dementia; vascular dementia; post-stroke dementia; post-stroke cognitive impairment