Cognitive complaints in patients with untreated obstructive sleep apnea versus patients with neurological and respiratory diseases: prevalence, severity and risk factors.

PURPOSE: Little is known about cognitive complaints (self-reported problems in cognitive functioning) in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). We compared the prevalence and severity of cognitive complaints in patients with untreated OSA to patients with neurological and respiratory diseases. We also studied risk factors for cognitive complaints across these diseases, including OSA. METHODS: We used a convenience sample to compare untreated OSA patients (N = 86) to patients with stroke (N = 166), primary brain tumor (N = 197) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, N = 204) on cognitive complaints (Cognitive Failure Questionnaire, CFQ), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) and cognitive impairments using neuropsychological tests. We combined all patient groups (OSA, stroke, brain tumor and COPD) and studied potential risk factors (demographic variables, anxiety, depression and cognitive impairments) for cognitive complaints across all patient groups using regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of cognitive complaints was higher in OSA patients and complaints of forgetfulness and distractibility were more severe compared to stroke and primary brain tumor patients, but similar to or lower than COPD patients. Regression analysis for the combined sample of all patient groups showed that cognitive complaints were most strongly associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION: A high rate of OSA reported clinically significant cognitive complaints, comparable to other respiratory and neurological patients. Symptoms of anxiety and depression are important risk factors for cognitive complaints in patients with various neurological and respiratory diseases. Future studies should examine the relation between anxiety, depression and cognitive complaints in patients with OSA.

Stimulus material selection for the Dutch famous faces test for older adults.

Worldwide, approximately 22% of all individuals aged 50 years and older are currently estimated to fall somewhere on the Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum, which can be roughly divided into preclinical AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD dementia. While episodic memory loss (among other aspects) is typically required for a diagnosis of AD dementia, MCI is said to have occurred when cognitive impairment (including memory loss) is worse than expected for the person's age but not enough to be classified as dementia. On the other hand, preclinical AD can currently only be detected using biomarkers; clinical symptoms are not apparent using traditional neuropsychological tests. The main aim of the current paper was to explore the possibility of a test which could distinguish preclinical AD from normal aging. Recent scientific evidence suggests that the Famous Faces Test (FFT) could differentiate preclinical AD from normal aging up to 5 years before a clinical AD diagnosis. Problematic with existing FFTs is the selection of stimulus material. Faces famous in a specific country and a specific decade might not be equally famous for individuals in another country or indeed for people of different ages. The current article describes how famous faces were systematically selected and chosen for the Dutch older (60+) population using five steps. The goal was to design and develop short versions of the FFT for Dutch older adults of equivalent mean difficulty. In future work, these nine parallel versions will be necessary for (a) cross-sectional comparison as well as subsequent longitudinal assessment of cognitively normal and clinical groups and (b) creating personalized norms for the normal aged controls that could be used to compare performance within individuals with clinical diagnoses. The field needs a simple, cognitive test which can distinguish the earliest stages of the dementia continuum from normal aging.

A Systematic Review on the Potential Acceleration of Neurocognitive Aging in Older Cancer Survivors.

As survival rates increase, more emphasis has gone to possible cognitive sequelae in older cancer patients, which could be explained by accelerated brain aging. In this review, we provide a complete overview of studies investigating neuroimaging, neurocognitive, and neurodegenerative disorders in older cancer survivors (>65 years), based on three databases (Pubmed, Web of Science and Medline). Ninety-six studies were included. Evidence was found for functional and structural brain changes (frontal regions, basal ganglia, gray and white matter), compared to healthy controls. Cognitive decline was mainly found in memory functioning. Anti-hormonal treatments were repeatedly associated with cognitive decline (tamoxifen) and sometimes with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (androgen deprivation therapy). Chemotherapy was inconsistently associated with later development of cognitive changes or dementia. Radiotherapy was not associated with cognition in patients with non-central nervous system cancer but can play a role in patients with central nervous system cancer, while neurosurgery seemed to improve their cognition in the short-term. Individual risk factors included cancer subtypes (e.g., brain cancer, hormone-related cancers), treatment (e.g., anti-hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, cranial radiation), genetic predisposition (e.g., APOE, COMT, BDNF), age, comorbidities (e.g., frailty, cognitive reserve), and psychological (e.g., depression, (post-traumatic) distress, sleep, fatigue) and social factors (e.g., loneliness, limited caregiver support, low SES). More research on accelerated aging is required to guide intervention studies.

Preclinical Alzheimer's dementia: a useful concept or another dead end?

The term, preclinical dementia, was introduced in 2011 when new guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's dementia (AD) were published. In the intervening 11 years, many studies have appeared in the literature focusing on this early stage. A search conducted in English on Google Scholar on 06.23.2022 using the term "preclinical (Alzheimer's) dementia" produced 121, 000 results. However, the label is arguably more relevant for research purposes, and it is possible that the knowledge gained may lead to a cure for AD. The term has not been widely adopted by clinical practitioners. Furthermore, it is still not possible to predict who, after a diagnosis of preclinical dementia, will go on to develop AD, and if so, what the risk factors (modifiable and non-modifiable) might be. This Review/Theoretical article will focus on preclinical Alzheimer's dementia (hereafter called preclinical AD). We outline how preclinical AD is currently defined, explain how it is diagnosed and explore why this is problematic at a number of different levels. We also ask the question: Is the concept 'preclinical AD' useful in clinical practice or is it just another dead end in the Holy Grail to find a treatment for AD? Specific recommendations for research and clinical practice are provided.

Music and Lyric Characteristics of Popular Dutch Funeral Songs.

This study compared the characteristics of 150 songs (Dutch lyrics, N = 47, English lyrics, N = 103), popular at Dutch funerals, to an equal number of non-funeral songs. The variables explored included those linked with the music (valence, energy, danceability, acousticness, key, and tempo); and lyrics, namely: linguistics-related (first-person singular/plural, second-person pronouns; past, present, future tense; expressed emotion (positive, negative words, and the discrete emotional categories anger, anxiety, sadness); and category words (those relating to family, friends, death, religion). Funeral music was lower in valence, energy, and danceability and higher in acousticness than non-funeral music. Furthermore, English funeral music lyrics contained more second-person pronouns and were more future-focused than comparison songs. Funeral lyrics were not particularly negative, but English texts contained more words relating to sadness. In conclusion, funeral music differs in severable notable respects from general popular songs that may reflect the special purpose of this music.

Motor Impairment Three Months Post Stroke Implies A Corresponding Cognitive Deficit.

BACKGROUND: While both motor and cognitive impairment are common after stroke, the focus of (early) treatment has always been on motor deficit. AIMS: The objective of the current study was to explore the link between motor and cognitive performance in stroke patients and to examine whether motor performance is associated with cognitive functioning at three months post stroke. METHODS: In both stroke patients (n = 142) and controls (n = 135), with the groups matched on age, gender and premorbid IQ, motor functioning was evaluated using both objective (Purdue Pegboard Test) and subjective measures (specific items from the Frenchay Activities Index and Barthel Index). Cognition, specifically information processing speed, working memory and cognitive flexibility, was assessed using objective tasks. The data were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and logistic regression. RESULTS: Significant correlations between motor and cognitive functioning were found in stroke patients. The objective motor task was stronger than subjective measures in statistically explaining and predicting cognitive deficit, irrespective of stroke severity. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that motor impairment at three months post-stroke should serve as a 'red flag' for professionals: cognitive impairment is likely and should also be evaluated.

Course and Predictors of Subjective Cognitive Complaints During the First 12 Months after Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Subjective Cognitive Complaints (SCC) are common after stroke. This study documents the prevalence and course of SCC in the first year after stroke and determines which patient characteristics in the first 3 months predict subsequent SCC at 1-year follow-up. METHODS: Using a longitudinal design, 155 patients (mean age 64.0 ± 11.9 years; 69.7% men) were assessed at 3 and 12 months after stroke. SCC were assessed using the Checklist for Cognitive and Emotional consequences following stroke (CLCE) inventory (content component [CLCE-c] and worry component [CLCE-w]). Potential predictors of 12 months SCC included demographics, stroke severity, objective cognitive impairment, psychological factors (depression, anxiety, perceived stress, fatigue, personality traits, coping style), and activities of daily life functioning assessed at 3 months poststroke. Multiple hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to determine predictors of SCC at 12 months poststroke. RESULTS: SCC remained stable from 3 to 12 months over time (CLCE-c from 3.3 ± 2.4 to 3.3 ± 2.6; CLCE-w: from 1.9 ± 2.2 to 2.1 2.5). Independent predictors of SCC at 12 months were baseline CLCE-c (ß = 0.54) and perceived stress (ß = 0.23) for content, and baseline CLCE-w (ß = 0.57) and depressive symptoms (ß = 0.23) for worry. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who report SCC at 3 months after stroke are likely to continue having these complaints at 1 year follow-up. Perceived stress and depressive symptoms additionally increase the likelihood of having SCC at 12 months, independent of SCC at 3 months poststroke. Rehabilitation programs that target reduction of stress and depression in the first months after stroke might reduce sustained SCC and improve well-being.

Predicting self-esteem in informal caregivers of people with dementia: Modifiable and non-modifiable factors.

While informal caregivers often feel burdened by the care for a person with dementia, they can also experience positive consequences due to caregiving; caregiver gains. One of these, relatively overlooked, caregiver gains is heightened self-esteem. We assessed the predictive ability of non-modifiable (caregiver sociodemographic- and dementia related-) and modifiable (psychological-) factors for caregiver self-esteem). A cross-sectional study in which 201 caregivers, who spent at least eight hours a week on caring for a community-residing person with dementia, completed a semi-structured interview and five questionnaires. One two-block (1: non-modifiable-; 2: modifiable variables) hierarchic multiple regression analysis was used to assess which variables predicted self-esteem. None of the non-modifiable variables significantly predicted self-esteem. Regarding the modifiable variables, depression and relationship quality with the person with dementia significantly predicted self-esteem (adjusted R2 = .460, ß = -.207, p = .015 and ß = .632, p < .001 respectively). Caregivers who experience a better relationship quality with the person with dementia, and fewer depression symptoms, experience a higher level of self-esteem. Interventions focused on heightening self-esteem should strive to optimize these factors to enhance the lives of informal dementia caregivers.

Personality functioning in adults with refractory epilepsy and community adults: Implications for health-related quality of life.

INTRODUCTION: Prior research has shown that people with epilepsy are at risk for a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, patients differ greatly in how well they adjust to their epilepsy. To better understand these differences, the present study examined the role of personality. More specifically, we examined mean-level differences in Big Five personality traits between adults with refractory epilepsy and a community sample and related these traits to patients' HRQOL. METHODS: A total of 121 adults with refractory epilepsy (18-40 years old, 56% women) completed questionnaires on the Big Five personality traits, HRQOL, and seizure frequency and severity. Patients' Big Five scores were compared to those of a community sample matched on sex and age using paired samples t-tests. We conducted hierarchical regression analyses to examine associations between personality and HRQOL, while controlling for the effects of sex, age, age at diagnosis, seizure frequency, and seizure severity. RESULTS: Patients reported higher levels of neuroticism and lower levels of openness as compared to controls. In patients, seizure severity was positively related to neuroticism and negatively related to agreeableness. Finally, patients high in neuroticism and low in conscientiousness generally reported a poorer HRQOL. CONCLUSION: In the present study, small personality differences were observed between adults with refractory epilepsy and a community sample. Patients' personality was found to play an important role in adjusting to epilepsy, even after controlling for seizure frequency and severity. Personality assessment may help healthcare professionals in identifying patients at risk for poor HRQOL later in life.

User-Driven Living Lab for Assistive Technology to Support People With Dementia Living at Home: Protocol for Developing Co-Creation-Based Innovations.

BACKGROUND: Owing to no cure for dementia currently, there is an urgent need to look for alternative ways to support these people and their informal caregivers. Carefully designed interventions can answer the unmet needs of both people with dementia and their informal caregivers in the community. However, existing products, systems, and services are often too complex or unsuitable. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify, longitudinally, the changing needs (as dementia progresses) of people with dementia living at home and their informal caregivers. By developing co-creation-based innovations, these changing needs will hopefully be met. METHODS: A user-driven Living Lab design is used to structurally explore the needs over time of people with dementia (and their informal caregivers) living in the community in the North Brabant region of the Netherlands. In addition, co-creation-based innovations will be developed, tested, and evaluated by these people and their caregivers at home. All participants will complete complaints-oriented questionnaires at 3 time-points-at the baseline, 1 year, and 2 years after they start participating. Home interviews are scheduled to explore if and how these complaints translate into participants' specific needs or wishes. Focus groups meet on a monthly basis to further identify the needs of people with dementia and their informal caregivers and provide feedback to the stakeholders. In the context field, participants have an opportunity to actually test the products at home and provide feedback. Quantitative outcome measurements include neuropsychiatric symptoms, cognitive decline, independence in activities of daily living, safety, and caregiver burden. Qualitative outcome measurements include feedback to the stakeholders regarding the needs of people with dementia and their informal caregivers and how these needs change over time, as well as user experiences about the specific innovations. RESULTS: Participant recruitment will start in September 2018 and is ongoing. The first results of data analyses are expected in the spring of 2019. CONCLUSIONS: The overall aim of Innovate Dementia 2.0 is to facilitate person-centered innovations developed for people with dementia and their informal caregivers at all stages as dementia progresses. This should lead to newly designed concepts and innovations, which are better able to answer the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers in the community. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/10952.

Empathy in informal dementia caregivers and its relationship with depression, anxiety, and burden.

Background/Objective: Recent interventions aim to heighten informal caregivers' empathy levels assuming that this will lead to better well-being. However, previous studies have explored linear associations between empathy and aspects of well-being and yielded mixed results. We hypothesized that quadratic models may be more fitting to describe these relationships. Method: A cross-sectional study, with two groups (201 informal caregivers, and 187 non-caregivers) was conducted. Participants completed questionnaires on cognitive and affective empathy, and depression, anxiety, and caregiver burden. AN(C)OVA's and multiple hierarchical regression analyses including linear and quadratic terms were used to analyze the data. Results: For caregivers, there was a negative quadratic relationship between depression and cognitive empathy, and a positive linear relationship between anxiety and affective empathy, irrespective of sociodemographic characteristics. For non-caregivers, there were positive quadratic relationships between depression and cognitive and affective empathy, and between anxiety and affective empathy. The empathy levels did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: While caregivers and non-caregivers had the same amount of empathy, the relationships between empathy and depression and anxiety differed between the groups. Interventions for informal caregivers could aim to heighten cognitive empathy and to lower affective empathy to diminish depression and anxiety symptoms.

Antecedentes/Objetivo: Intervenciones recientes tienen como objetivo aumentar los niveles de empatía de cuidadores informales suponiendo que ello mejorará el bienestar. Estudios previos que han explorado las asociaciones lineales entre empatía y bienestar mostraron resultados inconsistentes. Presumimos que los modelos cuadráticos pueden ser más adecuados para describir estas relaciones. Método: Se realizó un estudio transversal con dos grupos (201 cuidadores informales y 187 no cuidadores). Completaron cuestionarios sobre empatía cognitiva y afectiva, depresión, ansiedad y carga del cuidador. Se emplearon AN(C)OVA y análisis de regresión jerárquica múltiple incluyendo términos lineales y cuadráticos. Resultados: En los cuidadores se obtuvo una relación cuadrática negativa entre depresión y empatía cognitiva, y una relación lineal positiva entre ansiedad y empatía afectiva, independientemente de las características sociodemográficas. En los no cuidadores hubo relaciones cuadráticas positivas entre depresión y empatía cognitiva y afectiva, y entre ansiedad y empatía afectiva. Los niveles de empatía no difirieron entre ambos grupos. Conclusiones: Mientras ambos grupos tenían la misma cantidad de empatía, las relaciones de empatía con depresión y ansiedad difirieron entre ellos. Las intervenciones para cuidadores informales podrían apuntar a aumentar la empatía cognitiva y reducir la empatía afectiva para disminuir la depresión y los síntomas de ansiedad.

Psychological factors and subjective cognitive complaints after stroke: Beyond depression and anxiety.

Subjective Cognitive Complaints (SCC) are common after stroke and adversely affect quality of life. In the present study, we determined the associations of depression, anxiety, perceived stress and fatigue with post-stroke SCC, and whether these associations were independent of objective cognitive functioning, stroke characteristics and individual differences in personality traits and coping styles. Using a cross-sectional design, SCC and psychological measures were obtained in 208 patients (mean 3.3 ± 0.5 months after stroke; 65.9% men; mean age 64.9 ± 12.4 years). SCC were assessed using the Checklist for Cognitive and Emotional consequences following stroke (CLCE) inventory. Validated questionnaires were used to measure depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), fatigue (Fatigue Assessment Scale), personality traits (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised Short Scale) and coping style (Utrecht Coping List). Multivariate hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to adjust for covariates. Depression (ß = 0.35), anxiety (ß = 0.38), perceived stress (ß = 0.39), and fatigue (ß = 0.39) were associated with CLCE scores, independent of demographic, cognitive performance and stroke-related covariates. After including personality traits and coping styles in the model, independent associations with CLCE scores were found for fatigue (ß = 0.26, p = .003) and neuroticism (ß = 0.21, p = .05). Interventions aimed at improving psychological resilience and increasing energy levels might be a worthwhile addition to stroke rehabilitation programmes by reducing SCC and improving quality of life.

Illness identity in young adults with refractory epilepsy.

INTRODUCTION: Refractory epilepsy is an intrusive condition with important implications for daily functioning in emerging and young adulthood. The present study examined the degree to which refractory epilepsy is integrated in one's identity, and examined how such a sense of illness identity was related to health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS: A total of 121 18- to 40-year-old patients with refractory epilepsy (56.2% women) completed self-report questionnaires assessing the four illness identity states of acceptance, enrichment, engulfment, and rejection (Illness Identity Questionnaire (IIQ)); HRQOL (Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory - 31); and seizure frequency and severity (Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale (LSSS)). Illness identity scores were compared with a sample of 191 patients with a nonneurological chronic disease (congenital heart disease). Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to assess the predictive value of illness identity for HRQOL when simultaneously controlling for demographic and clinical features. RESULTS: Patients with refractory epilepsy scored higher on rejection and engulfment and lower on acceptance when compared with patients with congenital heart disease. Further, seizure severity and number of medication side-effects were positively related to engulfment and negatively to acceptance. Finally, when simultaneously controlling for various demographic and clinical variables, illness identity significantly predicted HRQOL (with engulfment being the strongest and most consistent predictor). CONCLUSION: The extent to which patients with refractory epilepsy succeed in integrating their illness into their identity may have important implications for HRQOL. Clinicians should be especially attentive for signs that patients feel engulfed by their epilepsy.

Promote the Health of Dementia Caregivers.

Caregivers of people with Alzheimer's dementia (AD) will become increasingly important as governments across the world cut health care funding. The vast majority of the care for people with AD is and will be carried out by informal caregivers, in other words, their spouses, children, and friends, people who typically have no training in this task and, certainly in the early days after diagnosis, little knowledge of what the person with AD is going through or what the future holds. The fact that people with AD face progressive cognitive and functional decline and that widespread individual differences are the norm rather than the exception makes it difficult to predict how quickly/slowly they will deteriorate. Caregiver-centered training and individual guidance based on the specific situation for informal dementia caregivers is going to become an international priority. We will need to care not only for the patient but also for their caregivers.

Quality of Life after Young Ischemic Stroke of Mild Severity Is Mainly Influenced by Psychological Factors.

BACKGROUND: Long-term prognosis in terms of quality of life (QoL) in young stroke patients is of importance because they usually have a long life expectancy and extensive daily life demands. We aimed at determining which medical and psychological factors influence the QoL in young stroke patients (<50 years), after long-term follow-up. METHODS: Young ischemic stroke patients admitted to the St. Elisabeth Hospital and the TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands, between 2000 and 2010 were included. One hundred seventy patients and 61 controls filled out the following questionnaires: (1) the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, (2) the Fatigue Assessment Scale, and (3) the shortened World Health Organization Quality of Life scale. Using linear multiple regression analysis, we assessed the factors influencing QoL. RESULTS: QoL did not differ significantly between patients (median modified Rankin Scale score at follow-up, 0) and controls after a mean follow-up of 4.5 (standard deviation, 2.8) years. The presence of excessive fatigue was associated with lower scores on all domains of the QoL (P ≤ .003), but not for general health domain (P = .010). Similarly, depression was associated with worse QoL on the physical (P = .004) and psychological (P = .001) domains and anxiety with lower scores on the psychological (P < .001) QoL domain. No relationship was found between stroke-specific factors and QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue and to a lesser extent depression and anxiety affect the QoL in young adults after ischemic stroke of mild severity. Therefore, young stroke patients should be informed about, screened, and, if possible, treated for fatigue, depression, and anxiety.

Prevalence and Profile of Poststroke Subjective Cognitive Complaints.

BACKGROUND: Subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) are common after stroke, but detailed information about how SCCs differ between patients with stroke versus stroke-free individuals is not available. We evaluated the prevalence and profile of the 2 SCC components (content and worry) in patients 3 months after stroke versus controls using both a generic and a stroke-specific instrument. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 142 patients were compared to 135 controls (matched at group level on age, sex, and estimate of premorbid intelligence quotient). SCC-content and SCC-worry were assessed using the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) and the Checklist of Cognitive and Emotional Consequences after stroke (CLCE-24). Univariate and multivariate linear (for continuous scores) and logistic (for dichotomous scores) regression analyses were used to explore differences between patients and controls on both instruments. RESULTS: Based on the CLCE, patients reported more SCC-content (standardized ß = .21, p.001) and SCC-worry (standardized ß = .18, p.02) than controls in multivariate analyses. Profiles indicated that stroke was associated in particular with SCC-content on the domains of memory, attention, executive functioning, expressive language, and with attention-related SCC-worry. In contrast, no group differences were found on SCC-content and SCC-worry assessed by the CFQ. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and profile of SCC-content and SCC-worry differ between patients and controls 3 months after stroke. The instrument used may, however, determine prevalence estimates. Stroke-specific inventories that differentiate between SCC-content and SCC-worry are preferable when attempting to determine SCC after stroke.

Short-term cognitive effects after recovery from a delirium in a hospitalized elderly sample.

The aim of this study was to examine early cognitive performance after a delirium in elderly general hospital patients. Patients were divided into a delirium (n = 47) and a control (n = 25) group. One week before discharge and after delirium had cleared in the first group, all patients completed a neuropsychological test battery (The Cambridge Cognitive Examination-Revised [CAMCOG-R]). Group differences in cognitive performance were analyzed adjusting for differences in baseline sociodemographic and clinical variables. Adjusting for group differences in baseline variables, the delirium group performed significantly worse than the control group on CAMCOG-R; its subdomains language, praxis, and executive functioning; and on Mini Mental State Examination derived from CAMCOG-R. The occurrence of delirium in hospital thus detrimentally affects early cognitive performance.

Subjective cognitive complaints after stroke: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Most studies to date have assessed poststroke cognitive impairment objectively, whereas less attention is paid to subjective cognitive complaints (SCC). We, therefore, systematically searched the literature to summarize and evaluate the current knowledge about poststroke SCC. METHODS: Articles were included in this review if the study evaluated SCC in adult stroke survivors, and the publication was an original empirical article from which the full text was available. There were no year or language restrictions. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were found on poststroke SCC. There is a huge heterogeneity among these studies with respect to stroke sample, SCC definitions, and instruments used, but they all showed that SCC are very common after stroke. Other main findings are that SCC tend to increase over time and that there is moderate agreement between patients and their proxies on prevalence and severity of patients' SCC. Furthermore, SCC are inconsistently associated with current depressive symptoms and objective cognitive performances, whereas they may predict future emotional and cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights that poststroke SCC are highly prevalent and that clinicians should take such complaints seriously. More research is, however, needed to gain further insight into poststroke SCC, to be able to accurately inform patients and relatives, and to develop adequate treatment programs. Based on the limitations of the studies to date, suggestions are made on how both future research and ultimately patient-centered care may be improved in stroke survivors.

The COMPlaints After Stroke (COMPAS) study: protocol for a Dutch cohort study on poststroke subjective cognitive complaints.

BACKGROUND: Although many studies have assessed poststroke objective cognitive impairment, only a few have evaluated patients' subjective cognitive complaints (SCC). Although these SCC are found to be common in the early and chronic phases after stroke, knowledge about their risk factors, course over time, differences with healthy controls and their diagnostic relevance is limited. The aim of the COMPlaints After Stroke (COMPAS) study is therefore to determine the possible risk factors, prognosis, time course and predictive value of SCC in the first 2 years after stroke. METHODS AND DESIGN: A prospective cohort study is conducted in which patients are compared to non-stroke controls at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after stroke. Approximately 300 patients are recruited from the stroke units of three hospitals in the Netherlands, while 300 controls are sought among the relatives (spouses excluded) and social networks of participants. A wide range of subjective and objective variables is assessed in both groups using interviews, questionnaires and neuropsychological assessment. The primary outcomes include SCC and objective cognitive impairment, whereas secondary outcomes are quality of life, subjective recovery and daily life functioning. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study is being carried out in agreement with the Declaration of Helsinki and the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act. The protocol has been approved by the medical ethics committees of the participating centres and all participants give written informed consent. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to the medical society and general public. DISCUSSION: The COMPAS study is the first to systematically evaluate poststroke SCC in a prospective longitudinal design, taking a wide range of subjective and objective variables into account. The results obtained can be used to accurately inform patients and their families, as well as to develop patient-tailored intervention programmes to ultimately improve stroke patient care.