Prevalence of Post-Stroke Depression in a Nigerian Sample

Abstract

Background: Post-stroke depression has been identified as a significant problem confronting stroke survivors and imparting negatively on their rehabilitation potential.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of post-stroke depression in a Nigerian sample.

Method: Participants for this study comprised fifty- one (51) stroke patients receiving physiotherapy rehabilitation in a major tertiary hospital. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease with a resultant hemiparesis and intact cognition based on the mini mental state examination. Exclusion criteria were transient ischaemic attack (TIA), pre-morbid history of depressive disorder and disability, as well as aphasia. Each subjects post stroke depression was assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), designed to measure the three negative affective states of depression, anxiety and stress. The DASS also assesses dysphasia, hopelessness, devaluation of self, anhedonia, lack of interest and inertia, and permits patients to be classified as depressed or not depressed.
Descriptive and inferential statistics of mean, standard deviation, percentages and chi-squares were used for analysis using the SPSS 14 .0 windows version.

Results: Thirty-one (31) males and twenty (20) females with a mean age of 52+5.9 years participated in this study. Thirty-one (60.8%) were right hemiplegics while twenty (39.2%) were left hemiplegics. The mean onset of stroke for all the participants was 11.3+5.6 months. There was no significant difference between the male and female participants (p>0.954), but between right and left hemiplegics (P<0.035). Significant differences were also observed in occurrence of post-stroke depression between the males and the females (p<0.01) and between left and right hemiplegics (P<0.13).

Conclusion: The study has established the occurrence of post-stroke depression among Nigerians. It is hereby suggested that post-stroke depression should be taken into consideration in rehabilitating stroke survivors.