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Abstract Introduction This study aimed to calculate the rate of post‐stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) by evaluating the cognitive domains among Lebanese stroke survivors at 3, 6, and 12 months post‐stroke, and to identify the contributing factors including pre‐ and post‐stroke related factors. Methods A multicenter longitudinal prospective study was conducted in 10 hospitals from Beirut and Mount Lebanon for a 15‐month period. Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Short Form Health Survey (SF12), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to assess cognitive function, disability degree, Quality of Life (QoL), stroke severity, and levels of anxiety and depression, respectively. Then, univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the predictors of PSCI. Results Low MMSE scores were found among survivors during the first 3 months post‐stroke (74.8%) of whom 53.7% presented with an MMSE ≤ 17, followed by 46.7% in the 6 months, and 37.6% at 12 months post‐stroke. Follow‐up comparisons showed a significant increase of MMSE scores over time (p < .001), indicating a 37% improvement of the cognitive function over time. The most affected cognitive domain was the attention and concentration at the three time points. Independent factors that were positively associated with low MMSE scores were as follows: sedentary behavior ≥ 12 h/day (AOR = 3.062, p = .033), involvement of the left hemisphere (AOR = 2.710, p = .006), HADS ≥ 11 (AOR = 2.536, p = .049), and high NIHSS scores (AOR = 3, p = .009). Age was the main predictor in the three time periods (AOR ≈ 3, p < .05). Inversely, female gender (AOR = 0.09, p = .027), high educational level (AOR = 0.2, p < .02), employment post‐stroke (AOR = 0.3, p = .023), high Physical Component Summary (PCS) of Quality of Life (QoL) (AOR = 0.8, p < .001), and the use of anti‐diabetic treatment post‐stroke (AOR = 0.17, p = .016) improved MMSE scores to > 23. Conclusion The risk of PSCI among Lebanese stroke survivors was high especially in the acute phase, depending on various determinants. Health care providers are invited to implement an emergency rehabilitation program for an appropriate successful management of the risk factors in order to reduce stroke burden and to improve overall cognitive performance.

BackgroundTo date, despite the application of secondary prevention worldwide, first-ever stroke survivors remain at imminent risk of stroke recurrence and death in the short and long term. The present study aimed to assess the cumulative risk rates and identify baseline differences and stroke characteristics of Lebanese survivors.MethodsA prospective longitudinal study was conducted among survivors ≥18 years old who were followed-up for 15 months through a face-to-face interview. Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative rates of stroke mortality and recurrence. Cox-regression univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the predictors of both outcomes.ResultsAmong 150 subjects (mean age 74 ± 12 years; 58.7% men vs. 44.3% women; 95.3% with ischemic stroke vs. 4.3% with intracerebral hemorrhage), high cumulative risk rates of stroke recurrence (25%) and death (21%) were highlighted, especially in the acute phase. Survival rates were lesser in patients with stroke recurrence compared to those without recurrence (Log rank test p < 0.001). Older age was the main predictor for both outcomes (p < 0.02). Large artery atherosclerosis was predominant in patients with stroke recurrence and death compared to small vessel occlusion (p < 0.02). Higher mental component summary scores of quality of life were inversely associated with stroke recurrence (p < 0.01). Lebanese survivors exhibited the highest percentages of depression and anxiety; elevated Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores were seen in those with stroke recurrence and those who died (≥80% with mean HADS scores ≥8). Lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores at the acute phase increased the risk of both outcomes by 10% (p < 0.03). Three out of 13 mortalities (23.1%) were presented with early epileptic seizures (p = 0.012). High educational level was the protective factor against stroke recurrence (p = 0.019). Administration of intravenous thrombolysis decreased the risk of both outcomes by 10% (p > 0.05).ConclusionHigher rates of stroke recurrence and death were observed in the first year following a stroke in Lebanon. Various factors were identified as significant determinants. Thus, health care providers and officials in Lebanon can use these findings to implement effective preventive strategies to best address the management of these factors to reduce the stroke burden and improve the short and long-term prognosis of stroke survivors.