Abstract
Depressive symptoms can often be observed after stroke. We prospectively evaluated patients at a stroke unit in order to determine the occurrence and severity of depressive symptoms in the acute phase of stroke in 82 patients 7 ± 2 days after admission to the stroke unit. Severity of stroke was evaluated by the Scandinavian and Orgogozo scales and the Barthel index. Severity of depressive symptoms was measured by the 13-item Beck scale. Mean age of the patients was 65.8 years. No gender difference was observed in the severity of stroke or depressive symptoms. DSM-IV criteria of adjustment disorder with depressed mood were fulfilled by 27% of the patients. In this group, stroke was significantly more severe by the Barthel, Orgogozo, and Scandinavian scales ( p < 0.001). Whereas Beck score was at least 10 in 19.5%, severe depressive symptoms (Beck score ≥15) occurred in less than 5% of patients with acute stroke. Those who could not walk by themselves or who were aphasic had significantly higher mean Beck scores (6.3 ± 5.1 vs 2.4 ± 3.1, p < 0.001, and 7.0 ± 5.8 vs 3.4 ± 3.9, p = 0.002). Significant correlation was found between the severity of stroke and that of the depressive symptoms (r = −0.56, −0.58, and −0.54 for the Scandinavian, Orgogozo, and Barthel scales, p < 0.001).
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.