Depression after stroke: a prospective epidemiological study.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the relationship between stroke and depressive symptoms and to determine whether disability or cerebrovascular risk factors mediate that relationship.


METHODS
A prospective longitudinal epidemiological survey.


METHODS
The mid-Monongahela Valley, a rural, nonfarm, low-socioeconomic-status community.


METHODS
Random sample of 1,134 subjects aged 65 and older.


METHODS
The dependent variable was clinically significant depressive symptoms, as defined by five or more symptoms on the modified Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. The independent variables were demographics (age, sex, education), stroke, number of impaired instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atherosclerotic heart disease, and smoking. Logistic regression analyses were conducted for cross-sectional and longitudinal models examining whether stroke was associated with or predicted depressive symptoms, with other associated factors included as covariates.


RESULTS
Clinically significant depressive symptoms were cross-sectionally associated with stroke (odds ratio (OR)=3.5, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.4-8.3), diabetes mellitus (OR=2.8, 95% CI=1.7-4.6; P</=.05), and IADL impairment (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.4-1.8; P<.05). Longitudinal analysis demonstrated that stroke (OR=6.3, 95% CI=1.7-23.2) and depressive symptoms at baseline (OR=15, 95% CI=7.7-29.5) predicted subsequent clinically significant depressive symptoms measured 2 years later, whereas education was protective (OR=0.4, 95% CI=0.2-0.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Stroke survivors have a greatly elevated risk for clinically significant depressive symptoms even 2 or more years after index stroke, independent of functional disability, cerebrovascular risk factors, and previous depressive symptoms.
Whyte
Ellen M
EM
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Mulsant
Benoit H
BH
Vanderbilt
Joni
J
Dodge
Hiroko H
HH
Ganguli
Mary
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors