Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
04:38
A Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Technique for Inducing Post-stroke Depression in Rats
Published on: May 22, 2019
Post-Stroke Depression and its Impact on Mortality and Functional Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Lirong Liu1, Guoshuang Zhang2, Yuxiang He3
1Outpatient and Emergency Department, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Neurorehabilitation
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Post-stroke depression (PSD) significantly worsens functional outcomes, cognitive function, and quality of life in stroke survivors. Early screening for PSD is crucial for better rehabilitation and patient prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Post-stroke depression (PSD) affects a significant portion of stroke survivors (25-50%).
- The prognostic impact of PSD on mortality, functional disability, cognition, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is not fully understood.
- Existing evidence requires updated synthesis and meta-analysis to clarify these associations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence from 2016-2026 on the relationship between PSD and clinical outcomes in stroke survivors.
- To conduct meta-analyses where data permits, quantifying the impact of PSD on various outcomes.
- To identify the prognostic significance of PSD in the stroke survivor population.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search of PubMed was conducted for studies published between January 2016 and April 2026.
- Included were cohort studies of adult stroke survivors with validated PSD assessments.
- Data extraction and quality assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) were performed independently; random-effects meta-analysis (DerSimonian-Laird) or SWiM narrative synthesis was applied.
Main Results:
- Seven high-quality cohort studies (N=10,643, published 2016-2019) were included.
- Meta-analysis showed PSD significantly increased odds of functional disability (OR 3.46) and supported a small-to-moderate effect on continuous functional outcomes (SMD 0.338).
- PSD was independently linked to cognitive impairment (HR 3.68) and reduced HRQoL; mortality data were inconclusive.
Conclusions:
- PSD is a robust prognostic indicator for adverse functional outcomes, cognitive decline, and diminished HRQoL post-stroke.
- Pooled analyses indicate a 3.5-fold increased likelihood of disability associated with PSD, independent of stroke severity.
- Routine PSD screening within neurorehabilitation is recommended; further research with recent data is needed.