Prevalence, pattern and impact of depression on quality of life of stroke survivors

Abstract

Objective. This study documented the incidence, pattern and impact of depression on QoL of stroke-survivors within 6-month post-stroke. Methods. This study involved 65 stroke survivors consecutively recruited at ictus from a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. The National Institute of Health Stroke-Scale, Stroke-Specific Quality-of-Life (SSQOL), international classification of diseases (tenth edition) and Center for Epidemiological Scale-Depression (CES-D) were administered at ictus to assess stroke-severity, QoL and depression respectively. The SSQOL, ICD-10 and CES-D were subsequently administered every other week for 6 months. Data were treated using Spearman's correlation coefficient, Mann–Whitney U-test and multivariable stepwise linear regression analysis (P=0.05). Results. Participants were age 58.1±15.7 years; 38 and 27 hemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke respectively. Twenty-six (40%) and 60.0% had moderate and severe stroke, respectively. The QoL at post-stroke periods were significantly influenced (P<0.05) by depression, age, marital status, spouse supports, stroke-severity, and educational-attainment. Depression determined (P<0.05) poor QoL in stroke-survivors. Co-morbidity with stroke severity was a determinant (P<0.05) of poor QoL and death. The haemorrhagic stroke survivors had significantly higher (P<0.05) QoL at post-stroke periods. Conclusion. Depression is associated with stroke. It is common within the first 6 months post-stroke and has negative impact on quality of life of stroke-survivors.

Key Words::

• Stroke survivors
• depression in stroke
• quality of life of stroke survivor

Acknowledgement

None

Statement of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.