[Depression, nonverbal intellectual impairment and quality of life following left-brain ischemic insult--results of a catamnestic study].

The purpose of the present study was to establish the relationship between persisting aphasia and the extent of overall disability in the long-term outcome following left hemisphere ischaemic stroke. 55 right-handed patients who had sustained an initial left-sided cerebral infarction, verified by CT scan, were investigated after a mean observation period of six years. 39 patients were categorized as being non-aphasic, and 16 as being aphasic (3 Global, 6 Broca's, 1 conduction, 1 transcortical motor and 5 anomic aphasics) at the end of the follow-up period. Regarding motor and sensory functions, a correlation between the presence of aphasia and the severity of deficits could be established at the end of the follow-up period. With respect to activities of daily living, a significantly larger number of aphasic stroke victims had to rely on help by others. Furthermore, the persistence of aphasia also negatively influenced the subsequent occupational capacity. With regard to social participation and leisure activities, a significant reduction was found in aphasic long-term stroke survivors as compared to non-aphasics. Concerning quality of life, both groups reported a marked decline at the end of the observation period; the presence of aphasia had an additional negative effect. However, as regards the long-term non-verbal cognitive impairment, statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between both groups. In addition, aphasic stroke survivors did not demonstrate a higher incidence of depressive states than those without language deficit. On the basis of our results it is concluded that the presence of aphasia in left-hemispheric ischaemic stroke survivors indicates a more severe stroke, resulting in greater physical disability and social handicap in the long-term outcome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)