Depression and anxiety one month after stroke

Abstract

Depression and anxiety after stroke negatively affect patient outcomes; however, health care professionals may overlook poststroke depression and anxiety while they focus on the physical disabilities of patients soon after a stroke. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety, or both concurrently at one month after stroke. We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study in a sample of 231 hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke in Korea. Data were collected by interviews using a series of structured questionnaires in addition to clinical data retrieved from patients' medical records. More than 70% were identified as depressed, 45.9% experienced anxiety, and 43.7% had concurrent depression and anxiety. Using a multiple logistic regression analysis, we identified anxiety as a predictor of depression; depression as a predictor of anxiety; and female sex, headaches, and swallowing difficulty as predictors of the comorbidity of depression and anxiety. Periodical screenings for poststroke depression and anxiety from an early stage in a hospital to years after stroke in a community are recommended to provide better chances for early identification of patients at risk because depression and anxiety may manifest at any stage of recovery. Special attention should be given to individuals with culturebound somatic symptoms in addition to female patients and those who have difficulty swallowing among Korean stroke patients.

Music Therapy in Post-Stroke Patient Anxiety Problems: Scoping Review

“…6,7 The prevalence of post-stroke anxiety is 6-8 times higher than the prevalence of anxiety in the general population. 8 Interviews with 5 post-stroke patients who were undergoing outpatient care in Semarang City found that the patient said that every day he felt anxious about the bad things that could happen, such as repeated strokes, more severe symptoms, and changes in the situation. Qualitative research shows that psychological pressure causes post-stroke patients to experience self-loss (patients say they like it when they come back), feel frightened (patients say the stroke occurred without prior warning) and feelings of isolation (patients say their life is very lonely).…”