[Morbidity and costs associated with depressive syndrome in stroke sufferers in a population].
OBJECTIVE
To measure morbidity and the associated costs of depressive disorders (DD) in subjects who have had a stroke in a population treated by primary care settings under usual clinical practice conditions.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, retrospective studies. Adult stroke patients with DD were included in the study, and treated by five primary care settings (PCS) during 2006. A comparative group was formed with the rest of non-DD patients. The main measurements taken were: age, sex, history/co-morbidity, Charlson index, clinical parameters and corresponding outpatient costs; drugs, diagnostic tests, referrals and visits. Multiple logistic regression analysis and ANCOVA were used to correct the models.


RESULTS
A total of 2,566 stroke patients were assessed. 17.7% (95% CI, 16.2-19.2%) were identified as having DD; average age: 69.5 years (12.6); 57.2% of those were female. In the correction of the model, females (OR: 2.1), obesity (OR: 1.1) and neuropathy (OR: 2.2), were significantly associated with DD in stroke patients. The adjusted total costs of DD were higher in most components, euro 2,037.55 versus euro 1,498.24, p < 0.001. 73.4% of the total cost was drugs-derived.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of DD was higher in stroke patients, and was more associated with females, obesity and neuropathy. The patient cost is high and patients use more health resources.
Sicras Mainar
A
A
Dirección de Planificación, Badalona Serveis Assistencials, Barcelona, España. asicras@bsa.cat
Navarro Artieda
R
R
Blanca Tamayo
M
M
Rejas Gutiérrez
J
J
Fernández de Bobadilla
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000191:economics* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000191:economics*; D055815:Young Adult