Interventions for depression and its potential outcomes are required.

Background and Purpose— Rates of stroke incidence and mortality vary across populations with important differences between socioeconomic groups worldwide. Knowledge of existing disparities in stroke risk is important for effective stroke prevention and management strategies. This review updates the evidence for associations between socioeconomic status and stroke. Summary of Review— Studies were identified with electronic searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases (January 2006 to July 2011) and reference lists from identified studies were searched manually. Articles reporting the association between any measure of socioeconomic status and stroke were included. Conclusions— The impact of stroke as measured by disability-adjusted life-years lost and mortality rates is >3-fold higher in low-income compared with high- and middle-income countries. The number of stroke deaths is projected to increase by >30% in the next 20 years with the majority occurring in low-income countries. Higher incidence of stroke, stroke risk factors, and rates of stroke mortality are generally observed in low compared with high socioeconomic groups within and between populations worldwide. There is less available evidence of an association between socioeconomic status and stroke recurrence or temporal trends in inequalities. Those with a lower socioeconomic status have more severe deficits and are less likely to receive evidence-based stroke services, although the results are inconsistent. Poorer people within a population and poorer countries globally are most affected in terms of incidence and poor outcomes of stroke. Innovative prevention strategies targeting people in low socioeconomic groups are required along with effective measures to promote access to effective stroke interventions worldwide.

Background and Purpose-The longer-term natural history of depression after stroke is poorly understood. We estimate frequency, predictors, and associations of depression up to 5 years after stroke in a population-based study. Methods-Data from 3689 patients registered in the South London Stroke Register 1995 to 2006 were used. Baseline data included age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and stroke severity. At 3 months and at 1, 3, and 5 years, survivors were assessed for depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression; depression subscale score Ͼ7 indicates depression), cognition, disability, activity, accommodation, employment, and social networks. Associations with depression were investigated with logistic regression. Data are reported with OR and 95% CI. Results-Depression frequencies were 33% (30%-36%), 28% (25%-30%), 32% (30%-35%), and 31% (27%-34%) at 3 months and at 1, 3, and 5 years after stroke, respectively. Forty-eight percent of patients were not depressed at any time point; 49% to 55% of depressed patients at 1 assessment remained depressed at follow-up; and 15% to 20% of patients at each assessment were new cases. Predictors of depression included stroke severity, inability to work, and impaired cognition. Associations with depression at follow-up included impaired cognition, lack of family support, institutionalization, inability to work, functional dependence, and low activity level. Conclusions-Frequency of depression up to 5 years after stroke is 30%; however, it is a dynamic situation with recovery and new cases diagnosed over time. These findings support the need for regular assessment of depression and its associated factors and for the development of effective interventions to reduce depression after stroke.