PREDICTORS OF EARLY-ONSET DEPRESSION AFTER FIRST-EVER STROKE.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a frequent and severe complication affecting stroke survivors' quality of life and rehabilitation outcomes.
• Despite its impact, PSD often goes unrecognized and untreated, highlighting a critical gap in patient care.
• Identifying early predictors is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention to improve stroke recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential risk factors associated with early-onset depression following a first-ever stroke.
• To identify independent predictors of PSD to facilitate early diagnosis and targeted treatment strategies.
• To improve the clinical course and long-term prognosis for patients experiencing post-stroke mood disorders.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 60 first-ever stroke patients, with 30 diagnosed with depression and 30 without.
• Assessment of socio-demographic and clinical risk factors for PSD.
• Utilized Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview (DSM-IV criteria), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Mini Mental State Examination, and NIH Stroke Scale for diagnosis and assessment two weeks post-stroke.

Main Results:

• Previous depressive episodes emerged as a significant independent predictor of early-onset PSD.
• Cognitive dysfunction was identified as another key independent predictor of depression after stroke.
• A more severe neurological deficit was strongly associated with an increased risk of developing early PSD.

Conclusions:

• Previous history of depression, cognitive impairment, and severity of neurological deficit are independent predictors of early-onset post-stroke depression.
• These findings underscore the importance of screening for these factors in stroke patients to identify individuals at high risk for PSD.
• Early identification and intervention based on these predictors can potentially improve patient outcomes and rehabilitation success.