Characteristics of cognition impairment in patients after stroke based on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised in China

Abstract

We aimed to explore the cognitive characteristics of patients with post-stroke cognition impairment (PSCI) on the basis of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised in China (WAIS-RC) and the individual contribution of the subtests to WAIS score. We included 227 patients with PSCI who were assessed using the WAIS-RC. We described the characteristics and score distribution of the scale and subtests individually and compared them with those of the normal group to measure the damage degree of these patients. We performed item response theory analysis to explore the best criterion score for all dimensions that allowed ideal discrimination and difficulty for reflecting cognitive level. Finally, we analyzed the contribution of each dimension to the overall cognitive function. Patients with PSCI showed worse cognition levels than healthy individuals in terms of overall intelligence quotient (73.26–100, −1.78 SD), with a difference of 4.54–7.96 points in each dimension (–0.68 to −1.82 SD), and a range of 5–7 points is the appropriate range for reflecting cognitive ability in patients with PSCI. The average cognitive level of patients with PSCI was significantly inferior to normal people (–1.78 SD, 96.25%). Vocabulary contributes most to WAIS score.