Prevalence of Depression and Use of Antidepressant Medication at 5-Years Poststroke in the North East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are few data on the prevalence or treatment of depression from unselected populations long-term poststroke. We assessed the prevalence of depression and antidepressant use at 5-years poststroke in an unselected stroke population. METHODS: Five-year survivors from a prospective community-based stroke incidence study were assessed for depression with the Irritability, Depression and Anxiety Scale. Medications indicated primarily for treatment of depression were recorded. RESULTS: At 5-years poststroke, 441 (45%) of 978 incident cases were alive (mean age=74+/-15 years, 49% female). Seventeen percent of those assessed were depressed. Twenty-two percent with depression were taking an antidepressant medication. Of those taking an antidepressant, 72% were not depressed. CONCLUSIONS: Although nearly one-fifth of survivors were depressed, few were taking antidepressants. Further exploration of this low level of treatment is warranted.