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Abstract Details

Association of Stroke Health Literacy with Stroke Risk Factors and Post- Stroke Depression
Aging, Dementia, and Behavioral Neurology
P13 - Poster Session 13 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)
10-003

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between stroke health literacy and modifiable stroke risk factors or post-stroke depression (PSD) in acute stroke patients.
Previous studies have found a low prevalence of stroke health literacy across the country and stroke education plays an important role in post-stroke care. However, there are few studies that assess stroke health literacy and stroke onset or post-stroke outcomes. 
 This was a prospective cross-sectional survey study assessing stroke health literacy in 24 patients with ischemic stroke on the inpatient service. Patients with radiographic evidence of stroke were given questions from a modified version of the Stroke Knowledge Test. Patients were also screened for PSD with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). Age, gender, NIHSS, stroke etiology, trust in the healthcare system and health insurance were also collected.

 Ages ranged from 20 to 89 and 14/24 were male. Data was analyzed with T-test and ANOVA. Patients with 3 or more stroke risk factors scored significantly higher on the health literacy exam (M= 63.6) compared to individuals with 2 or less stroke risk factors (M= 50, p=0.0095). Though there was a trend toward patients with HAMD >7 scoring higher on the literacy exam (M= 64.1 vs M = 58.6), this was not significant (p = 0.201). There was also a trend toward low NIHSS with increased stroke health literacy (M=8.3 vs M=6.417) but this too was not statistically significant (p=0.516).  

 These results indicate that patients with fewer known stroke risk factors may have a poorer understanding of stroke. Interestingly, higher health literacy was associated with higher HAMD scores. A larger study is needed to see if this reaches significance. These results may help identify which populations may benefit from additional stroke education and future research is needed to determine the best educational stroke paradigm.
Authors/Disclosures

PRESENTER 		No disclosure on file
Amelia K. Adcock, MD (WVU School of Medicine, Dept. of Neurology) The institution of an immediate family member of Dr. Adcock has received research support from NIH.
Amelia K. Adcock, MD (WVU School of Medicine, Dept. of Neurology) The institution of an immediate family member of Dr. Adcock has received research support from NIH.