[The treatment of post stroke-depression and emotionalism in clinical practice].
BACKGROUND
Depression and emotionalism are major consequences of stroke. The aim of this study was to assess the treatment of post stroke depression and emotionalism in clinical practice.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study based on consecutive series of patients with acute stroke admitted to a specialized stroke unit.


RESULTS
180 patients were identified (f/m: 92/88; age: 73 +/- 20 years, median length of stay; 18 days). At admission 29 patients (16%) were already receiving medical treatment for depression. During hospitalization a further 24 (16%; CI 10-22%) initially untreated patients started treatment. The indication to treat was referred to in 19 cases (13: depression, 6: emotionalism). Formal psychiatric examination or rating was not applied. In one case the treatment was stopped because of side effects. The dose of medicine was adjusted in one case due to insufficient effect of treatment. None of the discharge summaries indicated the expected duration of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of patients being treated during hospitalization was less than expected compared to the expected incidence of post stroke depression and emotionalism. The indication to treat, the duration of treatment and the incidence of side effects was not sufficiently documented. Prescription practice and evaluation of treatment effect may therefore be far from optimal.
Olesen
Stine Chabert
SC
Hvidovre Hospital, Endokrinologisk Afdeling. chabert@dadlnet.dk
Andersen
Brian
B
Kofoed-Enevoldsen
Allan
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003448:Crying; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors