Periventricular White Matter Hyperintensity in Males is Associated with Post-Stroke Depression Onset at 3 Months.

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the correlation between white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and post-stroke depression (PSD) at 3 months, and to further investigate sex differences in the pathogenesis of PSD.MethodsA total of 238 consecutive patients with acute cerebral infarction were recruited. PSD was assessed at 2 weeks and at 3 months after stroke onset. All stroke cases were divided into four subgroups according to the diagnosis of depression at two time nodes: continuous depression; depression remission; late-onset PSD; and continuous non-depression. The Fazekas and Scheltens visual rating scales were adopted to assess WMH.ResultsLogistic regression revealed that the presence of periventricular white matter hyperintensity (PVWMH) at baseline in male patients was an independent risk factor for PSD at 3 months. Further subgroup analysis revealed that PVWMH was associated with late-onset PSD in males, but not with continuous depression 3 months after stroke. Male acute stroke patients with PVWMH at baseline were more likely to develop PSD at 3 months, especially late-onset PSD.ConclusionOur data suggest that sex differences may influence the pathogenesis of PSD.