Article

Depressive symptoms are common post-stroke.
We examined
stroke deficits and lifestyle factors that are independent predictors for
depressive symptomology.
A retrospective chart review was performed for
patients' post-stroke who attended outpatient clinics at a hospital in
Southwestern Ontario between
1 January 2014 and 30 September 2014. Demographic
variables, stroke deficits, secondary stroke risk factors and disability study
measures [Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Montreal Cognitive
Assessment (MoCA)] were analyzed. Results Of the 221 outpatients who attended the
stroke clinics (53% male; mean age = 65.2 +/- 14.9 years; mean time post-stroke
14.6 +/- 20.1 months), 202 patients were used in the final analysis. About 36% of
patients (mean = 5.17 +/- 5.96) reported mild to severe depressive symptoms
(PHQ-9 >/= 5). Cognitive impairment (CI), smoking, pain and therapy enrollment (p
< 0.01) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Patients
reporting CI were 4 times more likely to score highly on the PHQ-9 than those who
did not report CI (OR = 4.72). While controlling for age, MoCA scores negatively
related to depressive symptoms with higher PHQ-9 scores associated with lower
MoCA scores (r= -0.39, p < 0.005). Conclusions High levels of depressive symptoms
are common in the chronic phase post-stroke and were partially related to
cognition, pain, therapy enrollment and lifestyle factors. Implications for
Rehabilitation Stroke patients who report cognitive deficits, pain, tobacco use
or being enrolled in therapy may experience increased depressive symptoms. A
holistic perspective of disease and lifestyle factors should be considered while
assessing risk of depressive symptoms in stroke patients. Patients at risk for
depressive symptoms should be monitored at subsequent outpatient visits.

Langue : ANGLAIS