Predictors of post-ischemic stroke aphasia recovery among Egyptian patients: a pilot hospital-based study

Abstract Background Aphasia is a disabling post-stroke symptom. Multiple factors have been reported to impact post-stroke aphasia recovery. This study aimed to investigate predictors of post-ischemic stroke aphasia recovery among Egyptian patients. Results A prospective study conducted on 100 right-handed aphasic patients resulted from acute ischemic stroke. Patients were divided into 50 patients treated with medical therapy, 25 patients treated with intravenous (IV) Thrombolysis, and 25 patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy. Carotid duplex and echocardiography were done. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was performed. Language assessment was done using the validated Kasr El Aini Arabic Aphasia test (KAAT) within one week of the stroke onset, and was repeated 6 months later. All patients were submitted to speech therapy. Trans-cortical motor aphasia, small vessel disease, small infarct size, negative smoking history, and absence of dyslipidemia were associated with a statistically significant increase in KAAT mean scores from baseline to follow-up after 6 months. There was no significant difference between different methods of treatment and KAAT mean scores within one week of disease onset, and 6 months later. Using regression analysis, infarct size and smoking remained significant independent predictors of aphasia recovery. Conclusion Factors associated with good recovery of aphasia include a negative smoking history and a small infarction size. There is an improvement of KAAT mean scores with time after behavioral speech and language therapy (SLT), regardless of the method of treatment.