Assessment of risk factors of Depression in the post-stroke phase of the stroke survivor patients: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Depression and mood changes are important complications of a stroke. A total of 30% of stroke survivors potentially develop depression, sooner or later. Despite its effect on the quality of life of the patient as well as functional recovery, it is often neglected resulting in a lack of treatment. However, regular antidepressant drugs play no beneficial role in the treatment of PSD. Objective: The present study aim is to the establishment of prevalence and factors responsible for causing post-stroke depression. Methods: The participants included in the study previously had strokes according to the definition given by WHO. Modified Motor Assessment Scale (MMAS) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were administered. Socio-demographic data of all the patients was collected. The risk factors were the laterality of the stroke, duration of the post-stroke phase, functional impairment after the stroke, and gender of the patient. Results: A total of 62 participants were included in the study. A total of 38 (61.29%) of the patients were male and 24 (38.71%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 51.86±5.3 years with a range of 41 to 63 years. Assessment through DASS-21 showed that 46 (74.19%) patients were normal and 16 (25.81%) were detected with depression. The statistically significant risk factors behind post-stroke depression (PSD) were gender and stroke laterality. However, the assessment through MMAS scores shows no significant participation of post-stroke disability and post-stroke duration in PSD. Conclusion: PSD is an important complication followed by stroke. Stroke laterality and gender are significant risk factors for PSD