Depression after cerebral vascular accident: frequency, risk factors and impact on quality of life

Abstract

Introduction. Post-stroke depression is one of the most common complications, affecting about one third from the survivors after a stroke. In combination with cognitive aggravation, post-stroke depression slows down the rehabilitation of patients, the activation of their social and everyday functioning, contributes to increasing disability, which worsens the quality of patients' lives. Aim of study. The aim of this thesis is to make a comparative analysis of depression after stroke, according to sex and age, the part of the injury and the severity of the neurological deficit. Methods and materials. The study was carried out on a group of 30 patients in the post-stroke period. In total, the examination of one patient lasted 10 days, where in the acute post - stroke period the patients were monitored according to a specialized program, considering their general stare and physical ability to complete questionnaires with the help of an examiner. On the basis of the following scales (Zung, Ranking, HAD) the onset of depression, its exacerbation and the evolution was determined too. Results. Studies have shown that in most cases, patients after a stroke show mild and moderate levels of depression. The post-clinical analysis shows that a stroke negatively affects the functional and the psychological aspect of the patients, which subsequently leads to impairments in adapting to everyday life. Conclusion. Post-stroke depression is a commune and underdiagnosed problem, which negatively affects the lives of patients. Risk factors or post-stroke depression must be monitored and stopped to prevent the psychological complications. We can make a conclusion that depression after stroke appears in older patients, in female patients, in patients who have a stroke in the left hemisphere and big disability score. one third from the survivors after a stroke. In combinatio n with cognitive aggravation, post-stroke depression slows down the rehabilitation of patients, the a ctivation of their social and everyday functioning, contributes to increasing disability, which worsen s the quality of patients' lives. Aim of study. The aim of this thesis is to make a comparative analysis of depression after stroke, according to sex and age, the part of the injury and the se verity of the neurological deficit. Methods and materials. The study was carried out on a group of 30 patients in the post -stroke period. In total, the examination of one patient lasted 10 day s, where in the acute post - stroke period the patients were monitored according to a specialized pr ogram, considering their general stare and physical ability to complete questionnaires with t he help of an examiner. On the basis of the following scales (Zung, Ranking, HAD) the onset of depre ssion, its exacerbation and the evolution was determined too. Results. Studies have shown that in most cases, patients after a stroke show mild and moderate levels of depression. The post-clinical analysis shows th at a stroke negatively affects the functional and the psychological aspect of the patients, which subsequen tly leads to impairments in adapting to everyday life. Conclusion. Post-stroke depression is a commune and underdiagnosed pro blem, which negatively affects the lives of patients. Risk factors or post-st roke depression must be monitored and stopped to prevent the psychological complications. We can make a conclusion that depression after stroke appears in older patients, in female patients, in patients who have a stroke in the left hemisphere and big disability score.