Post stroke depression among Iranian patients

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of depression and its contributing factors after an episode of stroke.

METHODS: This prospective study was performed on 200 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to Aliebne-Abitaleb Hospital in Rafsanjan, Iran, from September 2006 to September 2007. The diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke was made by a neurologist and confirmed by MRI. Frequency of depression, according to DSM-IV criteria, as well as demographic data and some contributing factors were registered and analyzed by chi squared test and the logistic regression method.

RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 61.15+/-8.66 years. Thirty-two percent of patients suffered depression. The frequency of depression was significantly higher in women (40.9%) than men (21.1%) (p=0.004). There was no significant relation between depression and age, location of lesion, and risk factors for stroke. Hypertension (34%), diabetes (15%), smoking (14%), and hyperlipidemia (14%) were the most common risk factors.

CONCLUSION: Generally, our results show that post stroke depression is prevalent in our society, and this is more prominent among women. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to improve quality of life of these patients.