Post-stroke aphasia prognosis: a review of patient-related and stroke-related factors.

Plowman E, Hentz B, Ellis C. Post-stroke aphasia prognosis: a review of patient-related and stroke-related factors. Journal of evaluation in clinical practice. 2012 Jun 1; 18(3):689-94.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

• CDA 07-012 – Racial/Ethnic Differences in Post-Stroke Outcomes

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Abstract:

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Recovery of language function in individuals with post-stroke aphasia is associated with a variety of patient and stroke-related indices. Amidst a complex interaction of a multitude of variables, clinicians are faced with the arduous challenge of predicting aphasia recovery patterns and subsequently, long-term outcomes in these individuals. Unfortunately, predictive factors are highly variable making prognosis of aphasia recovery difficult. Therefore, the objective of this review was to assess the influence of patient-related and stroke-related factors on language recovery in individuals with post-stroke aphasia. METHODS: We completed a literature review to assess and identify evidence-based patient and stroke-related variables shown to be influential in aphasia recovery. RESULTS: A range of patient-related (gender, handedness, age, education, socio-economic status and intelligence) and stroke-related indices (initial severity, lesion site and lesion size) were identified as potential influential factors to post-stroke aphasia recovery. Initial severity of aphasia emerged as the factor most predictive of long-term aphasia recovery. Other influential factors of post-stroke language recovery included lesion site and size. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke-related factors, including aphasia severity, lesion site and lesion size, appear most critical to post-stroke aphasia recovery. The findings presented in this review offer clinicians an evidenced-based framework to assist in prediction of post-stroke aphasia recovery patterns and subsequent long-term functional communication outcomes.