ABSTRACT NUMBER: ESOC2026A873 PREDICTORS OF DISEASE-RELATED STIGMA FOLLOWING HEMORRHAGIC STROKE: INSIGHTS FROM A MULTICENTER COHORT

Abstract Background and aims Disease-related stigma can negatively affect recovery after hemorrhagic stroke. Identifying associated factors may improve patient support and rehabilitation outcomes.This study aimed to determine predictors of negative disease-related stigma in patients following hemorrhagic stroke Methods A total of 516 patients with non-traumatic hemorrhage (intracerebral or subarachnoid) were enrolled from Al-Azhar University Hospitals and Cairo Fatemia Hospital between March 2023 and March 2025. Three months post-discharge, patients were assessed via telephone using the Neuro-QoL Negative Disease-Related Stigma Short Form, with stigma defined as T-score >50. Associations between stigma and demographics, admission data, and functional outcomes (3-month mRS 3–5; Barthel Index <100) were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results Among the 516 patients, 155 (30%) reported disease-related stigma. Multivariate analysis revealed that female sex (OR = 3.72, 95% CI: 1.23–11.25, P = 0.02) and poor functional outcomes—Barthel Index <100 (OR = 3.46, 95% CI: 1.13–10.64, P = 0.03) or mRS 3–5 (OR = 4.23, 95% CI: 1.21–14.75, P = 0.02)—were independent predictors of stigma. Conclusions Female sex and impaired functional recovery are strongly associated with disease-related stigma three months after hemorrhagic stroke. Recognizing these factors may help mitigate stigma and enhance rehabilitation strategies. Conflict of interest NOTHING TO DISCLOSE