Only one study had 3 months of follow-up for functional outcomes ( 9). Two studies had a small sample size ( 3, 10), one included people with transient ischemic attack (TIA) ( 9), and one only included intracerebral hemorrhage ( 10). However, in these studies, the MoCA was administered within 7 days to >1 year after stroke ( 3, 9, 10). Previous research showed that the MoCA could predict functional dependence at a later stage of stroke. Few studies have investigated the relation between cognition assessed with the MoCA and dependence post-stroke. Various MoCA cutoffs have been suggested for the Swedish population depending on age and education ( 8). The commonly used assessment instrument, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), is a brief screening tool for evaluation of cognitive function ( 7). A first assessment of cognitive function is common clinical practice in acute stroke care units in Sweden. Impaired cognition has also been associated with dependence ( 3, 4).Ĭognitive impairment is very common, even after a seemingly successful neurological recovery ( 5, 6). Neurological impairment, older age, female sex, and previous stroke are well-known predictors of an increased need for help after stroke ( 2). Thus, it has become necessary to identify possible stroke-related impairments early, to predict the need for help in daily living after discharge, and initiate rehabilitation tailored to the patient. The length of hospital stay after stroke has decreased in Sweden ( 1), from 13 days to 7 days during the last decade (2007–2017). The participants with MoCA scores ≤ 23 for impaired cognition were more likely to be functionally dependent. The MoCA score of ≤ 23 for impaired cognition had equal sensitivity and specificity for predicting functional dependence 3 months after stroke.ĭiscussion and Conclusion: Cognitive function assessed with the MoCA within 36–48 h after stroke could predict functional dependence 3 months later. The MoCA quartiles were a significant predictor of functional dependence 3 months after stroke as an individual variable ( p < 0.001, AUC = 0.72) and when adjusted for covariates such as age at stroke onset, living arrangement prior to stroke, and ADL measured with BI within 36–48 h after stroke ( p = 0.01, AUC = 0.84). Results: A total of 305 participants were included in the study (mean age: 68.8 years, n = 179 men). The MoCA score that had equal sensitivity and specificity was chosen as the optimal score for predicting functional dependence. Receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) were used for identifying the optimal cutoff score on the MoCA for predicting functional dependence. The predictive characteristics of the MoCA were investigated using logistic regression analyses. Functional outcome 3 months after stroke was studied with the modified Rankin Scale. Cognitive function and activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed with the MoCA and the Barthel Index (BI), respectively, 36–48 h after stroke. The research database from a stroke unit at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital was linked with the Swedish Stroke Register-Riksstroke. Materials and Methods: This was a longitudinal cohort study. The secondary aim was to identify an optimal threshold for the MoCA score that could predict functional dependence. The primary aim of this study was to investigate if cognitive function, assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) 36–48 h after stroke, could predict functional dependence 3 months later. Introduction: After a stroke, cognitive impairment is commonly associated with poor functional outcomes. 2Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.1Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.Tamar Abzhandadze 1 * Lena Rafsten 1,2 Åsa Lundgren Nilsson 1,2 Annie Palstam 1 Katharina S.

Cognitive domains assessed by moca