Abstract Background: Despite being acknowledged as a common complication after a stroke, poststroke depression (PSD) often goes undiagnosed and untreated. There are uncertainties regarding PSD’s epidemiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis, particularly in the early poststroke period. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of PSD among the study participants in the early phase and to identify its risk factors. Subjects and Methods: Thirty-four participants with a first or recurrent ischemic stroke were evaluated for depression within the 1 st month following the stroke, using the PSD Rating Scale (PSDRS) and ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. To exclude patients with impaired consciousness and cognition, the Glasgow Coma Scale and mini–mental status examination were employed. Stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Sociodemographic information, clinical data, size and location of the infarct, and inflammatory markers were analyzed in relation to the presence and severity of PSD. Results: Within the first 4 weeks poststroke, 26.47% of patients experienced PSD, with 17.65% exhibiting mild depression and 8.83% moderate depression. Among those with PSD, both the total and subscores on the PSDRS were significantly higher ( P < 0.001). This study did not identify any statistically significant sociodemographic or clinical risk factors for PSD. Conclusion: There is a significant burden of depression in the acute phase following a stroke, suggesting an independent etiology regardless of sociodemographic and clinical risk factors. The PSDRS proves to be an effective screening tool for PSD, and early identification can facilitate timely intervention, thereby reducing the distress and disability associated with the condition.
Maben et al. (2026) studied this question.