Risk factors of post-stroke depression among stroke survivors in Lagos, Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
Stroke is an important neurological problem and a leading cause of death in clinical practice. Among survivors, over half have significant disabilities; and/ or psychiatric complications most especially Post-stroke depression (PSD). The study aimed to establish prevalence and risk factors for post stroke depression.


METHODS
A prospective study carried out among selected stroke survivors in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Subjects included those who satisfied the WHO definition of stroke. The necessary socio-demographic data was obtained from each subject; the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and Modified Motor Assessment Scale (MMAS) were administered. Risk factors of PSD studied were gender, laterality of stroke, post stroke functional impairment and post stroke duration before clinical presentation.


RESULTS
A total of 51 stroke survivors were studied, made up of 31 (60.8%) males and 20 (39.2% ) females. The mean age was 52.5+/-5.9 years; and age range of 40-64 years. From assessment with the depression subscale of DASS-21, 38 (74.5% ) of the subjects were normal and the rest 13 (25.5% ) had depression. Risk factors found to be statistically significant for PSD in the study included: gender (X(2)=10.3 at p=0.001) and stroke laterality ( X (2)=6.1 at p = 0.013). However, there were no statistically significant differences for mean post-stroke duration before clinical presentation and PSD ( "t" =3.5 and p= 0.073) ; and post-stroke disability as shown by mean MMAS scores and PSD ( "t" =7.6 and p= 0.084).


CONCLUSIONS
Depression was found to be an important complication among stroke survivors in our study. Important risk factors found for PSD included gender and laterality. The findings emphasized a need for appropriate health facilities and for stroke survivors to present early for treatment to attenuate stroke complications.
Oladiji
J O
JO
Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Akinbo
S R
SR
Aina
O F
OF
Aiyejusunle
C B
CB
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*