Early depressed mood after stroke predicts long-term disability: the Northern Manhattan Stroke Study (NOMASS).
OBJECTIVE
Depression is highly prevalent after stroke and may influence recovery. We aimed to determine whether depressed mood acutely after stroke predicts subsequent disability and mortality.


METHODS
As part of the Northern Manhattan Stroke Study, a population-based incident stroke case follow-up study performed in a multiethnic urban population, participants were asked about depressed mood within 7 to 10 days after stroke. Participants were followed every 6 months the first 2 years and yearly thereafter for 5 years for death and disability measured by the Barthel Index. We fitted polytomous logistic regression models using a canonical link to examine the association between depressed mood after stroke and disability comparing moderate (Barthel Index 60 to 95) and severe (Barthel Index <60) disability with no disability (Barthel Index >or=95). Cox proportional hazards models were created to examine the association between depressed mood and mortality.


RESULTS
A question about depressed mood within 7 to 10 days after stroke was asked in 340 of 655 patients with ischemic stroke enrolled, and 139 reported that they felt depressed. In multivariate analyses controlling for sociodemographic factors, stroke severity, and medical conditions, depressed mood was associated with a greater odds of severe disability compared with no disability at 1 (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.07 to 7.91) and 2 years (OR 3.72, 95% CI 1.29 to 10.71) after stroke. Depressed mood was not associated with all-cause mortality or vascular death.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressed mood after stroke is associated with disability but not mortality after stroke. Early screening and intervention for mood disorders after stroke may improve outcomes and requires further research.
Willey
Joshua Z
JZ
Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. jzw2@columbia.edu
Disla
Norbelina
N
Moon
Yeseon Park
YP
Paik
Myunghee C
MC
Sacco
Ralph L
RL
Boden-Albala
Bernadette
B
Elkind
Mitchell S V
MS
Wright
Clinton B
CB
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome