Risk Factors for Poststroke Depression: An Integrative Review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Poststroke depression (PSD) is the most prevalent emotional disorder following stroke, affecting up to one-third of survivors within five years.
• PSD significantly impedes stroke rehabilitation and can delay overall recovery.
• Understanding PSD risk factors is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct an integrative review of current scientific literature on the risk factors associated with poststroke depression (PSD).

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive search of electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo) was performed.
• Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed, observational Western studies of adult stroke survivors published after 2004, with PSD as the primary outcome.
• Integrative review guidelines were applied for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria from an initial 406 articles.
• The most consistently identified risk factors for PSD were stroke severity, cognitive impairment, physical disability, and functional dependency.
• Demographic, social, and medical history factors showed less consistent associations with PSD across studies.

Conclusions:

• Research quality was often limited by small sample sizes, potential selection bias, and a lack of multivariate analyses.
• Nurses play a vital role in early depression screening for at-risk patients.
• Interventions targeting identified risk factors can enhance rehabilitation and improve recovery for stroke survivors.