Long-Term Neuropsychological and Functional Outcomes in Stroke Survivors: Current Evidence and Perspectives for New Research

Abstract

Aims To appraise the literature on long-term neuropsychological and functional outcomes in stroke survivors and identify the gaps, challenges and future research in this area. Background Stroke care resources are scarce, and the number of stroke survivors is likely to increase with the ageing of the population. Thus, evaluating the cost, frequency and prognostic factors of long-terms stroke functional and neuropsychological outcomes is of paramount importance for evidence-based clinical decision making, including the rationale, planning, provision and allocation of health services, and the development of effective interventions. Summary of review Stroke has an enormous physical, emotional and economic impact on the patients, families and society. However, accurate data on frequency, relationship and predictors of various long-term functional (body functioning, activity and participation) outcomes and costs of stroke are scarce, and no accurate and comprehensive data exist on long-term neuropsychological outcomes and their relationships with other functional outcomes poststroke. Conclusions There is a lack of accurate data on the frequency, relationship and predictors of various long-term functional outcomes and costs of stroke. There is a pressing need for good-quality population-based studies for evaluating the frequency and prognostic factors of long-term functional and neuropsychological outcomes of stroke in various populations. Introduction Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide and the most frequent cause of disability in adults in many countries, having an enormous physical, psychological and financial impact on the patients, families, the health care system and society. Moreover, stroke burden is projected to increase from around 38 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost globally in 1990 to 61 million DALYs*** in 2020 ( 1 ). Although stroke mortality in Western populations has declined steadily over the last few decades, stroke incidence trends differ between countries and the overall number of stroke survivors tends to increase ( 2 ).