Screening with the 13-item Beck Depression Inventory revealed depressive symptoms (score ≥5) in 53% of post-stroke outpatients, most of whom were not receiving antidepressant medication.
Cross-Sectional (n=119)
What is the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms among post-stroke outpatients?
A significant proportion of post-stroke outpatients experience untreated depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for routine screening.
Patients were consecutively enrolled in a cross-sectional study to determine the severity of depressive symptoms and the rate of treated depression in a patient population returning to a stroke outpatient service during a 10-week period for a regular check-up examination after their stroke. Of the 143 stroke patients, 119 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The 13-item Beck Depression Inventory was used to screen for depressive symptoms. The score was at least 5 in 53%, 10 or above in 26%, and 15 or above in 11% of patients. Severity of depressive symptoms did not depend on gender, age, time elapsed from stroke, or the site of the cerebral lesion. Most patients with considerable depressive symptoms did not receive antidepressant medication at the time of the screening.
Gesztelyi et al. (Wed,) conducted a cross-sectional in Stroke (n=119). 13-item Beck Depression Inventory screening was evaluated on Severity of depressive symptoms. Screening with the 13-item Beck Depression Inventory revealed depressive symptoms (score ≥5) in 53% of post-stroke outpatients, most of whom were not receiving antidepressant medication.