Prevalence and severity of depression in patients after cerebral stroke

Aim: To analyze the prevalence and severity of depression in patients who suffered from cerebral stroke (CS).

Materials and Methods: A psychological study enrolled 300 patients after CS (main group [MG]: mean age [mean ± standard deviation] 56,7 ± 10,37 years; 134 [44,7%] males and 166 [55,3%] females) and 200 people without CS (control group [CG]: 57,2 ± 10,79 years; 64 [32,0%] males and 136 [68,0%] females). The levels of depression (LD) were assessed using the T.I. Balashova Depression Scale.

Results: The MG, as compared to the CG, demonstrated a higher depression score (52,6 ± 7,46 vs. 47,6 ± 6,88 points, respectively; p < 0,001) and had fewer patients without depression (35,7% vs. 68,0%, respectively; p < 0,001), as well as a higher frequency of mild depression (36,7% vs. 24,0%, respectively; p = 0,003) and subdepressive state (27,7% vs. 8,0%, respectively; p < 0,001). There were no significant associations between LD and factors such as age, sex, and dwelling in the MG. In contrast, CG males were more prevalent in the mild depression and subdepressive state categories compared to those free from depression. Also, mild depression in the CG was more frequently observed among urban dwellers than in the group without depression.

Conclusions: Patients who suffered from CS demonstrated a higher prevalence of more significant depressive disorders, namely mild depression and subdepression, compared to their CS-free counterparts.