PREDICTORS OF POST STROKE DEPRESSION AMONG STROKE SURVIVORS.

Background; Post stroke depression is an important factor limiting recovery and rehabilitation in acute stroke patients. This study was done to ascertain frequency of depression and role of different underlying factors among patients with ischemic stroke in our local population of Southern Punjab. Material and methods; All the cases of ischemic stroke (96), fulfilling inclusion criteria were recruited from outdoor of Department of medicine, Nishtar Hospital Multan and patients were assessed for depression using hospital anxiety and depression scale. The patients were categorized having depression the basis of hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) scoring. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS-18. Results; Of these 96 study cases, 50 (52.1 %) were male patients while 46 (47.9 %) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 49.17± 9.10 years. Of these 96 study cases, 45 (46.9 %) were from rural area while 51 (53.1 %) from urban areas, 29 (30.2 %) were diabetic and 58 (60.4 %) were hypertensive. Mean body mass index (BMI) of our study cases was 24.12 ± 2.88 kg/m2 and obesity was present in 17 (17.7 %). History of smoking was present in 21 (21.9 %). Mean disease duration of our study cases was 8.36 ± 4.31 months and 50 (52.1 %) had disease duration more than 6 months while 67 (69.8%) had monthly family income up to Rs. 25000 and history of alcohol consumption was zero. Previous history of stroke was present in 16 (16.7 %) while family history of stroke was noted in 17 (17.7 %) of our study cases and 67 (69.8 %) were illiterate and 29 (30.2 %) were literate. Depression was noted in 63 (65.6%) of our study cases. Conclusion; Very high frequency of depression was observed in our study among patients having ischemic stroke. Depression was significantly associated with gender, residential status, smoking, hypertension, educational level, smoking, prolonged duration of illness and occupation. Clinicians treating patients should anticipate depression and diagnose them to treat them in early stages. Keywords; Depression, Ischemic stroke, Frequency.