Abstract

Background: Depression is one of the most prevalent disorders following stroke, related to both biological and psychological mechanisms. This study aims to determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics of depression in stroke patients three months post-onset and to investigate depression-associated factors in these patients.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 104 stroke patients at Hue Central Hospital from August 2022 to August 2023. Depression was diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria.

Results: The prevalence of PSD was 42.3%,  with 41.0% in ischemic stroke and 46.2% in intracranial hemorrhage. Common symptoms included depressed mood, sleep disturbances, pessimism, loss of interest, reduced energy and poor appetite. The factors gender, lesions at lentiform nucleus and corona radiate, lesion volume, NIHSS score, Barthel index, MSPSS score, post-stroke financial burden were related with post - stroke depression (PSD). The MSPSS score and post-stroke financial burden were identified as independent factors related to PSD.

Conclusions: Depression is prevalent among stroke patients three months post-onset, with lack of social support and post-stroke financial burden being the major risk factors. Early detection of predictors of post-stroke depression may improve the outcome of stroke and prevent the psychiatric consequences.