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J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 May 01. Published in final edited form as: J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2016 May ; 29(3): 142–148. doi:10.1177/0891988715627023.

Stroke symptoms with absence of recognized stroke are associated with cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms in older adults with diabetes Jesse S. Passler, M.A.1, Olivio J. Clay, Ph.D.1, Virginia G. Wadley, Ph.D.2, Fernando Ovalle, M.D.2, and Michael Crowe, Ph.D.1

Author Manuscript

1Department

of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham

2Department

of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Abstract

Author Manuscript

Self-reported stroke symptoms may represent unrecognized cerebrovascular events leading to poorer cognitive and mental health. We examined relationships between stroke symptoms, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms in a high-risk sample: 247 adults age ≥65 with diabetes. Stroke symptoms were assessed using the Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-free Status, cognitive impairment was measured with the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status, and depressive symptoms were measured using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. In 206 participants without history of stroke/TIA, 27.7% reported stroke symptoms, with sudden loss of comprehension most frequently reported (11.7%). Having >1 vs. 0 stroke symptoms was associated with greater odds of cognitive impairment (OR=3.04, 95% CI, 1.15–8.05) and more depressive symptoms (b =2.60, p