Abstract WP35: Elevated Risk of 1-Month Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Stroke Mimics Relative to Patients with Stroke

Introduction: A life-threatening medical event such as stroke can trigger symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Less is known about the risk of PTSD among individuals who present with stroke-like symptoms but are ultimately diagnosed with a stroke mimic. Aim: To examine the association between final diagnosis of stroke mimic, stroke, or TIA and risk of developing PTSD 1 month after the index event. Methods: We enrolled patients with suspected stroke or TIA from an urban academic medical center. The PTSD Checklist 5 for DSM-5 (PCL-5) was administered at enrollment to assess pre-existing PTSD, and at 1-month after discharge to assess PTSD related to the index event. The index event was adjudicated via chart review as a stroke, TIA, stroke mimic, or equivocal by a neurologist blinded to PTSD status. Logistic regression was used to determine odds of developing clinically significant PTSD (PCL-5 &ge 33) for stroke mimics compared to stroke or TIA at 1 month after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, initial NIH Stroke Scale, discharge modified Rankin Score, and prior PTSD. Multiple imputation was used to account for missingness in data. Equivocal cases were excluded. Results: In our sample of suspected stroke ( n = 1,000, 51% female, age = 62 ± 15 y), 596 (59.6%) had a stroke, 79 (7.9%) had a TIA, 274 (27.4%) had a stroke mimic, and 51 (5.1%) were equivocal or missing. PTSD prevalence numbers (rates) at 1 month for stroke mimic, stroke, and TIA, respectively, were 30 (15.1%), 27 (6.3%), and 3 (5.5%). In the fully adjusted model, the odds of 1-month PTSD were higher for stroke mimics vs. patients with stroke, OR = 2.99, 95% CI [1.45, 6.18], p < .01, but not for stroke mimics vs. TIA, OR = 1.67, p = .45. Pre-existing PTSD was associated with increased odds of 1-month PTSD, OR = 10.32, 95% CI [5.30, 20.10], p < .01. No other covariates were associated with PTSD. Conclusion: Experiencing a stroke mimic compared to a stroke was associated with increased risk of having PTSD 1 month after the event. Clinicians should consider the risk of psychological distress particularly among individuals presenting with sudden stroke-like symptoms diagnosed as stroke mimics.