Incidence of post-stroke depression during the first year in a large unselected stroke population determined using a valid standardized rating scale.
This study describes the development of post-stroke depression (PSD) prospectively during the first year post-stroke in 285 unselected stroke patients. An appropriate unselected population-based control group without cerebral pathology is included for comparison. Psychiatric assessment with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) was undertaken unmodified. PSD was defined as HDRS > or = 13. The one-year incidence of PSD among the 209 survivors able to communicate reliably at 1 month was 41%. Most cases develop within the first months following stroke (79%), the frequency of new cases of PSD at one year being 5%, a level comparable to that in the control group. Depressed and nondepressed stroke patients consistently scored 4 points greater on total HDRS than in the corresponding controls.
Andersen
G
G
Department of Neurology, Aalborg Hospital, Denmark.
Vestergaard
K
K
Riis
J
J
Lauritzen
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D012803:Sick Role