Anger is a frequent neuropsychiatric symptom after stroke, which can disrupt treatment and recovery, in particular by affecting adherence behaviour to treatment and health care education. This study aimed to follow-up a cohort of stroke patients 12 months after their stroke to describe the presence of anger, compare levels and profile of acute and post-acute anger and analyse its impact on the adherence to treatment and beliefs about stroke. We followed (13.3 months mean follow-up) 91 stroke patients with a standardized protocol, using State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2) to assess the frequency and profile of anger and its components and one questionnaire to measure adherence to treatment and health education (meaning on the treatment) (Adh-T). We used as explanatory variables socio-demographic, clinical, stroke type and location information collected during the acute phase. Anger-state was detected in 15 (17%) patients, while anger-trait was present in 7 (8%) patients. The best regression model revealed that trait-anger, stroke location (posterior infarcts), and impact of stroke sequels were independent predictive factors for anger (R 2 = 43%). Patients with higher levels of anger expression had lower adherence rates, independently of the adherence dimension. In the chronic phase after stroke anger was related with posterior lesions, the impact of stroke consequences and anger as a personality trait. The detection and monitoring of anger could eventually prevent the negative impact of anger in care, especially in adherence to rehabilitation and secondary prevention.
Keywords: Adherence; Anger; Beliefs; State-anger; Stroke; Trait-anger.