Key result
Depressed mood affected 25-30% of stroke survivors at 3 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months, with over 50% of those depressed at 3 weeks remaining depressed at 1 year.
Why the study?
What is the prevalence and trajectory of depressed mood in patients after stroke?
Cohort (n=976)
What is the prevalence and trajectory of depressed mood in patients after stroke?
Depression is highly prevalent and persistent after stroke, yet remains undertreated with antidepressant medication.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Persistent post-stroke depression may warrant enhanced surveillance; extends prevalence data but leaves optimal management open.
A community study on stroke registered 976 patients. Over 60% of survivors at three weeks, six months and 12 months after the stroke were assessed for depressed mood, using the Wakefield self-assessment depression inventory, and on other functional and social activities. At each point, 25-30% of those assessed were depressed; over 50% of patients depressed at three weeks remained so at one year. Factors associated with depression included loss of functional independence, a low level of other activities, a low reasoning ability, and being female and living with someone; path analysis showed that most depression was not explained by these factors. Few depressed patients at six months were on antidepressant medication.
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Wade et al. (1987) conducted a cohort in Stroke (n=976). Depressed mood affected 25-30% of stroke survivors at 3 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months, with over 50% of those depressed at 3 weeks remaining depressed at 1 year.
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