PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION AFTER STROKE - THE PERTH COMMUNITY STROKE STUDY

Background. The Perth Community Stroke Study (PCSS) was a population-b ased study of the incidence, cause, and outcome of acute stroke. Metho d. Subjects from the study were assessed initially, by examination and interview, and at four- and 12-month follow-ups to determine differen ces in prevalence of depression between the sexes and between patients with first-ever and recurrent strokes. Results. The prevalence of dep ressive illness four months after stroke in 294 patients from the PCSS was 23% (18-28%), 15% (11-19%) major depression and 8% (5-11%) minor depression. There were no significant differences between the sexes or between patients with first-ever and recurrent strokes. With a non-hi erarchic approach to diagnosis of those with depression, 26% of men an d 39% of women had an associated anxiety disorder, mainly agoraphobia. Nine per cent of mate and 13% of female patients interviewed had evid ence of depression at the time of the stroke. Twelve months after stro ke 56% of the men were still depressed (40% major and 16% minor), as w ere 30% of the women (12% major and 18% minor). Conclusion. The preval ence of depression after stroke was comparable with that reported from other studies, and considerably less than that reported from in-patie nt and rehabilitation units.