Depressed Mood after Stroke: Predictive Factors at Six Months Follow-Up

Abstract

We aimed to know the prevalence of post-stroke depression (PSD) in our context, identify the variables that could predict post-stroke depression, by using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, occurring within six months after stroke, and identify patients at high risk for PSD. Methods: descriptive, cross-sectional and observational study. We included 173 patients with stroke (transient ischemic attack (TIA) included) and collected sociodemographic and clinical variables. We used the Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS) for depression assessment and Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for functional assessment. The neurological severity was evaluated by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Results: 35.5% were women, aged 71.16 (±12.3). Depression was present in 42.2% patients (n = 73) at six months after stroke. The following variables were significantly associated with PSD: diagnosis of previous depression (p = 0.005), the modified Rankin Scale at discharge (p = 0.032) and length of hospital stay (p = 0.012). Conclusion: PSD is highly prevalent after stroke and is associated with the severity, left location of the stroke, and the degree of disability at discharge. Its impact justifies the evaluation and early treatment that still continues to be a challenge today.

Depression, Anxiety, and Suicide After Stroke: A Narrative Review of the Best Available Evidence

“…38 These findings have been replicated, with the addition of poststroke anxiety and functional capacity as relevant risk factors. 25,33,34,37,[39][40][41] Stroke location seems irrelevant for PSD despite early tentative evidence to the contrary. 33,37,[42][43][44] Other studies have reported associations between PSD and neuroinflammation, disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, oxidative stress, abnormal glutamatergic neurotransmission, disrupted production of neurotrophic factors, lower levels of monoaminergic transmission, and genetic susceptibility.…”

Disability Status and Its Influencing Factors Among Stroke Patients in Northeast China: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study

“…Our findings support the hypothesis that depression had a negative effect on functional outcome, similar to those of previous studies. 27 , 28 The occurrence of post-stroke depression was related to the daily activities of stroke patients, the sudden physical symptoms had a negative effect on activities of daily living, and patients developed significant psychological problems arising from these experiences, such as depression, pessimism, and anxiety. 29 Conversely, these negative emotions were also capable of affecting the recovery of neurological function, and eventually formed a vicious circle.…”

Influence of Physical Activity and Socio-Economic Status on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Patients after Stroke

“…Based on the research carried out in this study, it can be concluded that health state and physical fitness do not affect the severity of the present clinical picture for hemiparesis caused by ischemic stroke, while patients who assess them better, show greater improvement during treatment. However, it is noted that the deterioration of socio-economic conditions, health, and physical fitness is a significant risk factor for depression [12,13,37].…”