Cognitive condition of patients with CVA in primary health care in João Pessoa - PB

Received on November 4, 2011. Accepted on January 26, 2012. ABSTRACT Cerebrovascular Accident orStroke (CVA) has a high prevalence worldwide causing neurological disability in adults. Cognitive deficit is one of the most important consequences, since its recognition is difficult and thus may interfere with the rehabilitation process and lead to impacts on the life quality of affected people. Objective: The goal was to estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment in stroke among those with Primary Health Care (PHC), as well as to describe the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, and the cognitive dimensions affected. Method: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the city of João Pessoa PB with 140 people enrolled in the Family Health Program that had been affected by stroke within the previous five years. Results: Over half of the people studied had manifestations suggesting cognitive impairment (54.9%) in the following dimensions: memory recall (70%), attention and calculation (60%), and read and apply (60%). In addition, the majority was elderly (73.1%) and, regarding the clinical characteristics of stroke, had declared that in the previous five years had had only one episode (64.2%) triggered in the last 13 months or more (76.1%). Also, half of the participants (50.7%) were unable to tell us the type of stroke they had suffered. Conclusion: The cognitive dimensions affected by stroke require further investigation in order to provide more funding to improve the assistance provided under the PHC.