Functional impairment and post-stroke depression: a 6-month longitudinal study.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Advances in acute ischemic stroke (IS) treatment and prevention have been made.
• However, approximately two-thirds of IS patients experience disability requiring rehabilitation and are at increased risk for psychiatric disorders, especially depression.
• Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common and serious complication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify predictors of post-stroke depression (PSD) within a 6-month period in patients with ischemic stroke (IS).
• To understand the factors contributing to the development of depression after stroke.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 97 patients with IS and no prior history of depression was studied.
• Data were collected during hospitalization and at 30, 90, and 180 days post-discharge.
• Binary logistic regression analysis was employed, considering variables such as age, sex, modified Rankin scale (mRS) score, and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale.

Main Results:

• Twenty-four percent of the studied patients developed post-stroke depression.
• A modified Rankin scale (mRS) score greater than 0 was the only significant predictor of depression development.
• This indicates that any degree of functional impairment is associated with increased depression risk.

Conclusions:

• Functional impairment, even of mild degree, significantly increases the likelihood of developing depression within six months post-stroke.
• Patients without functional impairment have a lower risk of developing post-stroke depression.
• Early identification and management of functional deficits are crucial for preventing PSD.