Aphasia severity and functional status in patients with stroke

Abstract

Introduction: aphasia is a highly disabling sequelae of stroke, which consists of variability in its severity.

Objective: to assess the severity of aphasia as a sequel, and the impact on functional condition.

Material and methods: an observational cross-sectional study, 60 patients with a diagnosis of stroke, with 1 year or more of evolution took place, all with aphasia. Aphasia item was classified according to language of Scandinavian Stroke Scale. Three groups were formed and the degree of functional disability in each group using the Rankin scale and the Barthel Index was determined. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample. Unpaired t-test and correlation test matrices was used to identify association between variables. It was considered worthless significant p <0.05.

Results: There was a predominance of patients with severe aphasia. Using Barthel Index greater functional impairment for patients with severe aphasia (p <0.05) was identified. According to Rankin scale, regardless of the severity of aphasia, all patients showed moderate disability and moderately severe disability (p <0.05). The Barthel index was the most sensitive to determine the degree of functional impairment, according to severity of aphasia scale.

Conclusion: There was a predominance of patients with severe aphasia. The severity of aphasia is an aggravating factor of functional status in patients with stroke of 1 year or longer evolution.