[Post-stroke depression, another handicap].
BACKGROUND
Post-stroke depression is a severe complication affecting 30-50% of patients during the first year. Experienced medical and paramedical staff in stroke units, using validated scales, can now identify initial signs of depression in the first days after stroke onset.


METHODS
This review of the literature is based on a Medline search for the terms stroke, depression, and epidemiology. It discusses problems of pathophysiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics.


RESULTS
Depression is an emergency in stroke patients because it impedes rehabilitation and family and social insertion. Early diagnosis is difficult, but possible with clinical somatic and cognitive symptoms. Post-stroke depression may also be a marker of pending cognitive decline. Management requires both antidepressants and psychotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a pressing need for further research to improve clinical practice in this area of stroke care.
Pinoit
Jean-Michel
JM
Service de Psychiatrie, CHU, Dijon.
Bejot
Yannick
Y
Rouaud
Olivier
O
Benatru
Isabelle
I
Osseby
Guy-Victor
GV
Bonin
Bernard
B
Gisselmann
André
A
Giroud
Maurice
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003625:Data Collection; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D000928:Antidepressive Agents