Depression Tripling Early Death in Stroke Survivors

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- People who experience depression after a stroke triple their risk of dying early and are four times more likely to die from a stroke than people who have not experienced a stroke or depression.

"Up to one in three people who have a stroke develop depression," said study author Amytis Towfighi, MD, with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Los Angeles, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. "This is something family members can help watch for that could potentially save their loved one."

Over a period of 21 years, 10,550 people between the ages of 25 and 74 participated in a study. Of those, 73 had a stroke but did not develop depression, 48 had a stroke and depression, 8,138 did not have a stroke or depression and 2,291 did not have a stroke but had depression.

After considering factors such as age, gender, race, education, income level and marital status, the risk of dying from any cause was three times higher in individuals who had stroke and depression compared to those who had not had a stroke and were not depressed. The risk of dying from stroke was four times higher among those who had a stroke and were depressed compared to people who had not had a stroke and were not depressed.

"Our research highlights the importance of screening for and treating depression in people who have experienced a stroke," said Towfighi. "Given how common depression is after stroke, and the potential consequences of having depression, looking for signs and symptoms and addressing them may be key."

SOURCE: American Academy of Neurology, January, 2013