Screening for depression in stroke: relationship to rehabilitation efficiency

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Gerontology

Background:

• Depression is a frequent complication following stroke, often undiagnosed.
• Undiagnosed depression can hinder rehabilitation progress and limit functional recovery post-discharge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) for screening depression in acute stroke patients.
• To assess the impact of depression screening on rehabilitation outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Administered the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to acute stroke patients referred for cognitive assessment.
• Utilized a modified GDS cutoff score to differentiate depression from stroke-related physical effects.
• Compared outcomes between patients with elevated GDS scores and those without.

Main Results:

• 22% of screened acute stroke patients were classified as depressed using a modified GDS cutoff.
• Depression rates were significantly higher in women (36%) compared to men (10%).
• Elevated GDS scores correlated with an average of 5.76 days longer hospitalization and less efficient rehabilitation (Functional Independence Measure).

Conclusions:

• The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a viable tool for screening depression in acute stroke patients.
• Early identification of depression in stroke survivors can facilitate timely assessment and intervention.
• Screening may help predict slower rehabilitation progress and guide personalized care plans.