title: Predictivity of Early Depressive Symptoms for Post-Stroke Depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Depression is a frequent complication after stroke. However, little is known about the predictive value of early self-reported depressive symptoms (DS) for later development of post-stroke depression (PSD) 6 months after discharge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a prospective longitudinal design, we investigated the prevalence of DS and examined their predictive value for depressive disorders 6 months after stroke while statistically controlling major established PSD risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  During inpatient rehabilitation, 96 stroke patients were screened for DS. After 6 months, 71 patients were attainable for a follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  DS was assessed using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). At follow-up a telephone interview that included the Structured Clinical Interview for Psychiatric Disorders (SCID), which is based on DSM-IV criteria, and the GDS-15 was conducted. Patients with major depression (MD) at the follow-up were considered to have PSD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regression analyses were conducted to examine the influence of early DS on PSD after 6 months while controlling for age, premorbid depression, and functional and cognitive impairments. The percentage of patients who scored above the GDS-15 cut-off for clinically relevant DS increased significantly, from 37% to 44%, after 6 months. According to the SCID, 27% of stroke patients fulfilled the criteria for MD, and another 16% fulfilled those for minor depression. Logistic regression showed that DS at baseline significantly predicted PSD at follow-up (odds ratio: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.15-1.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-reported DS during inpatient rehabilitation are predictive for PSD 6 months after discharge. Assessment of early DS contributes to identifying stroke patients at risk for PSD, thereby facilitating prevention and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Katja Werheid, Department of Psychology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Email: katja.werheid@hu-berlin.de.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lewin-Richter
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Volz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jöbges
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Werheid
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors