Racial and ethnic disparities in post-stroke depression detection

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is common among stroke survivors and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Little is understood about racial/ethnic differences in PSD detection. This study assessed the racial/ethnic disparities in PSD detection in a national cohort of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acute stroke patients.

The study included VA patients who: received inpatient care for acute stroke within 2001; survived >60 days post-index hospitalization; had an index stay <365 days; and were confirmed VA healthcare enrollees. PSD was established if a patient had a depression diagnosis in VA or Medicare inpatient or outpatient files, or was dispensed an antidepressant with guideline recommended minimum daily dosage during the 12 months post stroke. A multivariate logistic regression model was fitted to estimate the effects of race/ethnicity on PSD detection, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors.

The study cohort (N = 5825) was comprised of 66% white, 22% black, 7% Hispanic, and 6% for all other racial/ethnic categories. Among these stroke patients, 39% had PSD. Black and 'all other' racial/ethnic categories were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with PSD than non-Hispanic whites, even adjusting for potential risk factors.

White, non-Hispanic VA acute stroke patients were more likely to be diagnosed with PSD, even controlling for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Whether these findings suggest racial/ethnic differences in symptom endorsement by patients or in symptom recognition by providers is not clear.