This is the first study that focuses on insomnia in stroke
patients. A subgroup of 277 patients from a consecutive series of 486 stroke patients aged 55--85
years was sub jected to a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation 3- m onths after ischem ic
stroke. Of 277 patients, 56.7 reported any insomnia complaint and 37.5%fulfilled th DSM-IV criteria
of insomnia. In 38.6%, insomnia com plaint/insomnia had already been present prior to th stroke
and in 18.1%, it was a consequence of the stroke Independent correlates of any insomnia
complaint/in somnia were anxiety (Zung Anxiety Scale) and the use of psychotropic drug.
Independent correlates of poststroke onset insomnia complaint/insomnia were disability after
stroke (Barthel Index), dementia, anxiety and use of psy chotropic drug. Insomnia should be taken into consider ation in treating and rehabilitating stroke patients.