Rate of Post-Stroke Depression and Associated Factors in Saudi Single Tertiary Medical Center

Stroke is a significant global health concern, with post-stroke depression (PSD) affecting approximately 30% of patients and contributing to reduced quality of life and increased mortality. In Saudi Arabia, data on PSD frequency and associated factors remain limited in relation to the rehabilitation of stroke patients, highlighting the need for further investigation. The study's aims to investigate the rate of PSD and the factors that influence PSD.

This feasibility study was conducted at the Neurorehabilitation Unit of King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (October 2023-October 2024), and included stroke patients aged 18-80 years. Data on stroke severity (NIHSS), functional independence (FIM), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were collected using validated Arabic tools. All the analyses were performed with the significance level set at p < 0.05.

Out of the 37 participants, the frequency of anxiety and depression was 59.5% at admission, and it decreased to 40.5% at discharge from rehabilitation services. Functional independence improved significantly, with a 9.5-point increase in FIM scores. The mean differences (- 1.54 ± 4.3 p=0.03) and categorical differences between the initial and discharge HADS scores were significant (p=0.02).

We found a high rate of depression and anxiety among stroke patients at admission. Rehabilitation services can lead to the improvement of depression and anxiety in stroke patients, from initial admission to discharge, with emotional health as a factor for better outcomes.