Factors influencing depression among patients with stroke

This descriptive study aimed to study the prevalence of depression and factors influencing the development of depression among patients with stroke. The samples included in this study were patients in whom cerebrovascular disease was the diagnosis and CT-scans of the brain were done to confirm the diagnosis. Specific randomization was performed to include 378 cases for the study. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaire for demographic data, Thai Mini-Mental State Examination (TMSE), Thai Geriatric Depression Score (TGDS), modified House's social support score and Barthel index. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for TGDS and House's social support score were 0.91 and 0.79 respectively. The data were collected between September 2001 and January 2002 by means of interview and direct observation of cases at a post-stroke period of 2-4 weeks. Percentage, mean, standard deviation and multiple classification analysis were statistical analysis used in this study. The results showed the prevalence of depression among stroke patients was 92%. Mild and moderate depression were equal at 43%, while 6% had severe depression. It was found that sex, occupation, social support and ability to do activity of daily living were significantly correlated with the variation of depression. Social support was the strongest factor influencing depression (31.3%). All the factors combined accounted for 48% of the variation of depression (multiple R2 = .48). However, the location of the lesion was not related to the level of depression. Reduction of the post-stroke depression by reinforcing social support from caregivers should be the strategic way in caring patients with stroke.