Obstructive sleep apnea; Cognition; Stroke

Background: Knowledge available about the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cognitive impairment after stroke is limited. The evolution of OSA and cognitive performance after stroke is not sufficiently described. Methods: We prospectively enrolled and examined acute stroke patients without previously diagnosed OSA. The following information was collected: (1) demographics, (2) sleep cardio-respiratory polygraphy (PG) at 72 h, day seven, month three, and month 12 after stroke, (3) post-stroke functional disability tests at entry and at months three and 12, and (4) cognition (attention and orientation, memory, verbal fluency, language, and visual-spatial abilities) using the revised Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE-R) at months three and 12.