The Relationship between Anxiety and quality of Life in community stroke patients with a history of suicide attempts: A Cross-sectional Study

Hui Tan^*

• Yanbian University, Yanji, China

Abstract: Background Post-stroke patients with a history of suicide attempts often experience significant psychological distress, including anxiety, which may negatively impact their quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to explore the relationship between anxiety scores and QoL in this population, with a focus on identifying potential threshold effects. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 269 patients with a history of suicide attempts after stroke. Anxiety was assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and QoL was measured using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Patients were stratified by age: <30 years (27.1%), 30-40 years (31.2%), 40-50 years (21.6%), and >50 years (20.1%). A generalized additive model (GAM) explored the dose-response relationship between anxiety scores and QoL. Results The relationship between anxiety scores and QoL followed a J-shaped curve. When anxiety scores were below 40, QoL scores remained relatively high (above 60). However, when anxiety scores exceeded 40, QoL scores significantly declined, indicating a threshold effect. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for QoL decline was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.01–1.62, P = 0.039) for every unit increase in anxiety scores above 40. In contrast, for anxiety scores below 40, the OR was 0.60 (95% CI: 0.37–0.99, P = 0.043) for every unit increase. Conclusion Anxiety scores have a J-shaped relationship with QoL in post-stroke patients with suicide attempts. A threshold effect was observed at an anxiety score of 40, beyond which QoL significantly deteriorates. These findings highlight the importance of managing anxiety in this population to improve QoL.