title: Depression and risk of stroke morbidity and mortality: a meta-analysis and systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have suggested that depression is associated with an increased risk of stroke; however, the results are inconsistent.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies assessing the association between depression and risk of developing stroke in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases (to May 2011) was supplemented by manual searches of bibliographies of key retrieved articles and relevant reviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included prospective cohort studies that reported risk estimates of stroke morbidity or mortality by baseline or updated depression status assessed by self-reported scales or clinician diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two independent reviewers extracted data on depression status at baseline, risk estimates of stroke, study quality, and methods used to assess depression and stroke. Hazard ratios (HRs) were pooled using fixed-effect or random-effects models when appropriate. Associations were tested in subgroups representing different participant and study characteristics. Publication bias was evaluated with funnel plots and Begg test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The search yielded 28 prospective cohort studies (comprising 317,540 participants) that reported 8478 stroke cases (morbidity and mortality) during a follow-up period ranging from 2 to 29 years. The pooled adjusted HRs were 1.45 (95% CI, 1.29-1.63; P for heterogeneity <.001; random-effects model) for total stroke, 1.55 (95% CI, 1.25-1.93; P for heterogeneity = .31; fixed-effects model) for fatal stroke (8 studies), and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.11-1.40; P for heterogeneity = .34; fixed-effects model) for ischemic stroke (6 studies). The estimated absolute risk differences associated with depression were 106 cases for total stroke, 53 cases for ischemic stroke, and 22 cases for fatal stroke per 100,000 individuals per year. The increased risk of total stroke associated with depression was consistent across most subgroups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depression is associated with a significantly increased risk of stroke morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 655 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Olivia I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Okereke
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rexrode
authors.forename: Frank B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000401:mortality*