Original Scientific Articles

Aphasia in post-stroke patients: clinical findings from selected cities of Republic of Srpska

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Abstract

Introduction. Aphasia frequently occurs following a cerebrovascular insult, disrupting daily functioning and quality of life. This study aimed to examine aphasia in post-stroke patients from selected cities of Republic of Srpska.
Methods. A retrospective analysis of medical records was conducted on 100 consecutive stroke patients hospitalized at the General Hospital Trebinje and the University Hospital Foča between 2022 and 2024. Participants were stratified by sex and stroke type (ischemic vs. hemorrhagic). Aphasia was diagnosed based on clinical evaluation by speech-language pathologists and neurologists without standardized assessment tools. Aphasia types were classified according to medical records. Statistical analysis included chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, univariate logistic regression, and Mann–Whitney U test, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results. Aphasia was present in 69% of patients. No significant association with sex was observed (p = 0.434). A significant association was identified between stroke type and aphasia: 96.6% in hemorrhagic versus 57.7% in ischemic stroke (p < 0.001). Hemorrhagic stroke was associated with higher odds of aphasia (OR = 9.26; 95% CI: 1.09–76.92; p = 0.041). Age was also a significant predictor (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.10–1.28; p < 0.001), corresponding to a 
19% increase in odds per year. Sex was not a statistically significant 
factor (OR = 1.41; p = 0.584).
Conclusion. Stroke type was significantly associated with aphasia, whereas sex is not a statistically significant factor. When assessing 
post-stroke patients with aphasia, it is essential to consider demographic and clinical characteristics to plan timely speech-language therapy.

Keywords: aphasia, stroke, prevalence, type of aphasia

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