Quantification of the risk of post stroke depression: the Italian multicenter observational study DESTRO.
OBJECTIVE
The Italian multicenter observational study depression in stroke (DESTRO) aimed to identify risk factors for post stroke depression (PSD) and quantify the likelihood of it arising in various categories of patients.


METHODS
Mood evaluation was performed in 1064 consecutive stroke patients by means of Beck Depression Inventory and Visual Analog Mood Scale. Depressive symptoms were classified using the DSM-IV and revised WHO criteria for depression in the course of a neurological disorder.


RESULTS
Post stroke depression was seen in 36% of the survivors, with dysthymia by far the predominant form (80.7%). Female sex, disability, previous cerebrovascular or depressive episodes were significantly associated with an increased risk of depression. Combinations of these factors raised the risk of PSD exponentially, from 24.3 to 89.1%. The site of the stroke did not come into the uni- or multivariate analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
At admission, it is possible to predict the likelihood of PSD and quantify the relative risk.
Paolucci
S
S
S. Lucia Foundation - I.R.C.C.S., Rome, Italy. s.paolucci@hsantalucia.it
Gandolfo
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C
Provinciali
L
L
Torta
R
R
Sommacal
S
S
Toso
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*