• Bincy Koshy
• Abeer Alkarbi
• Saima Manoj Kumar
• Wafaa Mwawish
• JissMary Varghese

Abstract Background: Aphasia is a common and disabling complication of stroke that affects communication, social participation, and rehabilitation outcomes. Despite its significance, there is limited retrospective research on aphasia prevalence and impact in stroke unit settings, particularly in the United Arab Emirates. Objective: To determine the prevalence of aphasia among acute stroke patients admitted to the Stroke Unit at Al Qassimi Hospital and assess its association with demographic and clinical factors, stroke severity, lesion characteristics, and hospital outcomes. Methods: This retrospective observational study reviewed medical records of acute stroke patients admitted between July 2023 and July 2024. Demographic data, stroke characteristics, lesion location, presence of aphasia, NIHSS scores, hospital length of stay (LOS), and outcomes were analyzed. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, ANOVA, and regression models. Results: Among 429 stroke patients, 14.9% presented with aphasia. Aphasia was significantly associated with ischemic infarction (17%) and left-hemisphere lesions, especially in the basal ganglia, parietal lobe, and MCA territories. Patients with aphasia had higher NIHSS scores (mean = 12.8) compared to non-aphasic patients (mean = 3.8; p < 0.001). Aphasia prevalence increased with stroke severity, affecting nearly 90% of severe stroke cases. Aphasic patients also had longer hospital stays (mean = 12.4 days vs. 4.8 days, p < 0.001) and were overrepresented among in-hospital deaths. Conclusion: Aphasia occurred in 14.9% of stroke patients and was significantly associated with greater stroke severity, left-hemisphere lesions, and prolonged hospitalization. Early identification and integrated rehabilitation are critical for improving outcomes in this high-risk group.

aphasia, stroke, NIHSS, prevalence, United Arab Emirates, stroke unit, rehabilitation

"Retrospective Analysis of the Prevalence and Impact of Aphasia in Acute Stroke Patients Admitted to the Stroke Unit, Al Qassimi Hospital", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 11, page no.b242-b246, November-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2511129.pdf

"Retrospective Analysis of the Prevalence and Impact of Aphasia in Acute Stroke Patients Admitted to the Stroke Unit, Al Qassimi Hospital", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 11, page no. ppb242-b246, November-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2511129.pdf