Caregiver strain and fatigue are independent determinants of anxiety among patients early after stroke.

Anxiety and depression are common mental health disorders in stroke patients, and often co-occur. However, in contrast to depression, there is limited research about anxiety after stroke, although impact of anxiety can be substantial. Therefore, this cross-sectional observational study investigated determinants of anxiety after stroke and compared them with determinants of depression after stroke.

Depression is an independent determinant of life satisfaction early after stroke.

Objective: Life satisfaction is reduced in stroke patients. However, as a rule, rehabilitation goals are not aimed at life satisfaction, but at activities and participation. In order to optimize life satisfaction in stroke patients, rehabilitation should take into account the determinants of life satisfaction.

Anxiety and low life satisfaction associate with high caregiver strain early after stroke.

Objective: Caregivers play an important role in the well-being of stroke patients, and are known to experience considerable strain 3 months or more after patient discharge. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of caregiver strain early after discharge.

Methods: Six weeks after discharge from the hospital or rehabilitation setting stroke-surviving patients and their caregivers were seen by a specialized nurse.