| ▲ A study has shown that it is necessary to screen and treat cognitive impairment early to prevent long-term disability after stroke. (Photo = DB) |
[메디컬투데이=최재백 기자] Research has shown that early screening and treatment of cognitive impairment is necessary to prevent long-term disability after stroke.
In order to prevent long-term disability after a stroke, it is necessary to screen for and treat cognitive impairment early, the study results were published in the American Heart Association’s ‘Stroke’.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association, more than half of stroke survivors will experience post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).
Experts explained that PSCI is common, from mild to severe, especially within one year after a stroke, and while some patients are treatable, up to a third of stroke patients may progress to dementia within five years. Accordingly, the AHA emphasized the importance of early screening and early treatment for cognitive impairment.
Stroke can be divided into ischemic stroke, in which cerebral blood flow is blocked by a blood clot, and hemorrhagic stroke, which is caused by intracerebral hemorrhage. According to the AHA, the rates of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke are 87% and 13%, respectively, and cognitive impairment can occur immediately after a stroke or within a few years.
The AHA recommends that, as PSCI usually occurs within 2 weeks of a stroke, screening tests to assess cognitive decline immediately after stroke as well as subsequent to minimize lasting damage from stroke are needed.
They mentioned that a history of stroke nearly doubles the risk of developing dementia, and that stroke survivors need comprehensive treatment that combines physical rehabilitation with mental rehabilitation exercises to restore their quality of life.
In addition, they emphasized the need for management of cognitive deficits beyond acute and subacute stroke treatment to restore the quality of life of stroke survivors.
On the other hand, cognitive function decline can be recovered to some extent by early detection and treatment of PSCI, but in most cases, it is not completely restored to the state before stroke, and the symptoms are only improved.
Therefore, the American Stroke Association said that in order to reduce the risk of post-stroke functional decline, including cognitive decline, minimizing the recurrence of stroke is the key, and it is necessary to adopt healthy lifestyle habits such as healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and medication.
They said they could reduce their risk of recurrent stroke by 80% by managing their lifestyle.
Additionally, they added, future research should identify high-risk patients for PSCI and develop screening and treatment techniques for cognitive impairment.
Medical Today Reporter Jaebaek Choi (jaebaekchoi@naver.com)
[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
2023-05-06 03:23:19
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