GENERALIZED ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION - ASSESSMENT OVER 2 YEARS AFTER STROKE

The authors examined the course of anxiety up to 2 years after stroke in relation to depressive symptoms, impairment in activities of daily living (ADLs), and social functioning. One hundred forty-two patients were evaluated at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after stroke. Anxiety was as sociated with greater depression severity at all follow-up visits. Dep ression severity was associated with impairment in ADLs at follow-up; association of anxiety and impairment in ADLs was present only at the intake visit, with independent effects only for women. Women reported more symptoms of both anxiety and depression during the 2-year period. Younger patients reported more anxiety symptoms, but there was no dif ference between age-groups in depressive symptoms. Severity of anxiety was also related to higher depression scores at initial hospitalizati on, but not in the remainder of the 2-year period. In summary, anxiety is associated with increased severity of depressive symptoms and grea ter impairment in function primarily during the acute hospitalization period. Women and younger patients also may be move vulnerable to anxi ety after stroke.