The doctor-patient perception mismatch: Improving approaches to assessing outcomes after ischemic stroke treated with reperfusion therapy

The long-term effects of ischemic stroke on cognition and mental health are not reflected in traditional outcome metrics, like the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for functional independence. Consequently, this may lead to mismatches in perceptions of overall recovery, despite otherwise qualifying as having good functional outcomes (mRS 0–2). In our multicenter, multinational analysis, we aim to describe the prevalence of, and factors associated with, patient-reported cognitive impairment despite achieving good functional outcomes. Acute ischemic stroke patients at Cooper University Hospital (2021–2024) and Hospital Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona, Spain (2020–2021) treated with reperfusion therapy and achieved 90-day mRS 0–2 were surveyed with the previously-validated PROMIS Global-10 scale for physical health (PROMIS-PH) and mental health (PROMIS-MH). The primary outcome was the rate of fair or poor PROMIS-MH scores (≤ 11). Univariable and multivariable linear regressions for PROMIS-MH scores were performed. Of 157, 90-day mRS 0–2 patients, the mean age was 68 (standard deviation 15) years, and 61 % were male. Fair or poor PROMIS-MH scores were reported in 43 % of patients. Clinical factors independently associated with PROMIS-MH scores in a multivariable linear regression include: sex, tobacco use, PROMIS-PH score, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at 3-day follow-up. Despite achieving favorable post-stroke mRS, there is a high prevalence of patient-reported cognitive impairment, underscoring an important gap in post-stroke care. The emphasis in post-stroke care should extend beyond the scope of traditional metrics, and should encompass evaluations and interventions targeting additional domains significant to overall patient recovery, especially patient-reported cognitive symptoms.