Burden of Depression Among Survivors of Ischemic Stroke of Southern Punjab

Muhammad Asif ,Noman Amjad ,Owais Kareem ,Syed Imran Hassan ,Q Fatima ,Fazal Ul-Rehman

doi:10.7176/jmpb/69-01

Abstract

Background; Depression is one of the most frequent neuropsychiatric disturbances after ischemic stroke. The frequency of depression in stroke patients has varied widely in different populations. Post stroke depression is an important factor limiting recovery and rehabilitation in acute stroke patients. This study was done to ascertain frequency of depression among patients with ischemic stroke in our local population. Objective; To assess the frequency of depression in patients with ischemic stroke in Pakistan. Material and Methods; Consecutive 150 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria was enrolled and this descriptive study was conducted at department of Psychiatry and Neurology OPD, Nishtar Hospital, Multan using non – probability convenient sampling technique. All patients were assessed by single psychiatrist on PHQ-9 scale, for Depression. Results; Of these 150 study cases, 94 (62.7 %) were male patients while 56 (37.3 %) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 54.69 ± 7.18 years (with minimum age of our study cases was 44 years while maximum age was 71 years). Of these 150 study cases, 71 (47.3 %) belonged to rural areas and 79 (52.7 %) belonged to urban areas. Monthly family income up to Rs. 50000 was noted in 89 (59.3%) while more than Rs. 50000 was noted in 61 (40.7%). Of these 150 study cases, 83 (55.3%) were illiterate and 67 (44.7%) were literate. Of these 150 study cases, site of lesion in basal ganglia was 61 (40.7%), subcortical in 56 (37.3%) and cortical in 33 (22.0%) and Depression was noted in 77 (51.3%). Conclusion; Very high frequency of depression was observed in our study among patients having ischemic stroke. Depression was significantly associated with gender, occupation, educational level, prolonged duration of illness and site of lesion. Clinicians treating stroke patients should anticipate depressive symptoms and diagnose them to treat them in early stages. Keywords; Ischemic stroke, depression, frequency. DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/69-01 Publication date: March 31 st 2021

Highlights

Depression is a mental health disorder wherein low mood and low energy can affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, behaviour and sense of well-being
Conclusion; Very high frequency of depression was observed in our study among patients having ischemic stroke
Depression was significantly associated with gender, occupation, educational level, prolonged duration of illness and site of lesion

Summary

Introduction

Depression is a mental health disorder wherein low mood and low energy can affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, behaviour and sense of well-being. It is characterized by disturbed sleeping pattern, change in appetite, fatigue, irritability, reduced ability to concentrate, difficulty in decision making and even suicidal thoughts. Unipolar depressive disorder is expected to be the most significant cause of disease burden by the year 20302.Similarily stroke is a common neurological problem and the third leading cause of death in developed countries of the world[3]. Depression impedes rehabilitation progress following stroke and is associated with impaired functional outcome, cognitive decline, and increased mortality

Methods

Results

Conclusion