Apathy in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Stroke Is a Predictor of Quality of Life, Mood and Distress in Both Patients and Carers.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Apathy occurs in one-third of patients after stroke and is particularly common in small vessel disease (SVD) stroke. Apathy is known to be associated with reduced ability to engage in everyday life activities, including neurorehabilitation. Apathy has been associated with increased caregiver burden and distress in other neurological diseases, but there is little data on stroke. We aimed to evaluate whether distress is higher and quality of life (QoL) lower in apathetic stroke patients and their caregivers.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study on patients with symptomatic SVD and their caregivers. We recruited 40 patient-caregiver pairs (20 with apathy and 20 without) and assessed apathy, patient disability, QoL, cognition and depression. We assessed apathy-related c

SUBMITTER: Marguet OE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12676198 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature