Determinants of Death Anxiety Following Ischemic Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of death anxiety in patients following ischemic stroke and to identify its associated clinical and psychological determinants.MethodThe study population comprised 87 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ischemic stroke, at least three months post-stroke, and a Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT) score greater than 23. Activities of daily living were assessed using the Barthel Index. Anxiety and depression levels were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and death anxiety with the Thorson–Powell Death Anxiety Scale.Results The mean age of the participants was 61.8 ± 10.5 years, and 21.8% were female. Death anxiety was present in 33.3% of patients. Patients with high death anxiety had significantly higher anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality scores (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, anxiety was the only independent predictor of high death anxiety (odds ratio = 1.317; 95% confidence interval = 1.121–1.547; p = 0.001).ConclusionApproximately one-third of patients experience elevated death anxiety following ischemic stroke. Anxiety is the main independent determinant, highlighting the importance of routine psychological assessment and targeted interventions during rehabilitation.