title: Incidence and predictors of depression after stroke (DAS).
abstract: Objective. Depression after stroke (DAS) poses a treble burden to patients, families and health care system. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the incidence of depression among first-ever ischemic stroke patients and identify the predictors of DAS. Methods. A longitudinal study design was undertaken. Of 836 patients admitted to the stroke unit of two regional hospitals in Hong Kong during the period 1 June 2004 to 31 May 2005, 295 patients fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 260 patients had given their consents and were interviewed at 1 month after stroke onset. Results. Nearly one-quarter of the first ischemic stroke patients, who were known to be free of personal and family history of psychiatric illnesses, were found to satisfy the criteria of depression using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (24%, 48 out of 200 participants; 95% CI: 18.6%, 30.4%). This result was close to that assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) - 15 items. The psycho-emotional factor and level of dependency were found to be most significant predictors for DAS onset. Conclusion. The high incidence of DAS and low rate of accessibility to treatment indicate timely action to be undertaken.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Angel Chu Kee
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Siu Wa
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Gabriel Ka Kui
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Raymond Tak Fai
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Cheung
keywords: Depression after stroke; depression; elderly; incidence; predictors