Correlative study on risk factors of depression among acute stroke patients

The causes of post-stroke depression (PSD) were complex, and it is hard to identify the consistent risk factors because the correlation may change along with time.

To study the prevalence and multiple correlation factors of PSD in acute stroke patients.

The patients within over 2-6 weeks after stroke were collected and divided into depression group, depressive symptom group, and control group according to the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for Depression. The NIH (National Institute of Health) Stroke Scale, the Barthel index (BI), the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were respectively used to evaluate the neurologic impairment, Ability of Daily Life, and cognitive function of patients.

PSD was associated with lower incomes (p < 0.05), but not associated with education level, medical insurance, and nature of the acute stroke (p > 0.05). The lesion location in the left hemisphere of the brain had a higher morbidity than that in the right hemisphere or both sides. There was a significant difference in the incidence of PSD between multifocal lesions and single lesion (p < 0.01).

Lower income, cognitive dysfunctions, poor activities of daily life, poor social support, and history of hypertension and previous stroke were risk factors for the acute stroke patients to get depression. Stroke survivors with left hemisphere of the brain and more lesions (≥ 2) have more chance to get the PSD.