Relationship between Poststroke Depression and Ischemic Lesion Location†
Monton Wongwandee MD*, Sookjaroen Tangwongchai MD**, Kammant Phanthumchinda MD***
Affiliation : † This manuscript was presented at the Annual Meeting of the Royal College Physician of Thailand, April 2010 * Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand ** Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand *** Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Depression is more frequently detected in stroke patient compared to other medical illness with equal disability.
The relationship between poststroke depression and ischemic stroke lesion location is controversial.
Objective : To determine the relationship between early onset poststroke depression and ischemic stroke lesion location.
Material and Method: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted. In-patients diagnosed with first acute ischemic stroke were
enrolled. CT scan and MRI of the brain were performed to confirm the diagnosis of ischemic stroke as well as ischemic stroke
subtypes and to determine the ischemic stroke lesion locations. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was used to assess early
onset poststroke depression within two weeks after the onset of stroke. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the
relationship between early onset poststroke depression and ischemic stroke lesion location as well as early poststroke
depression and other potential factors.
Results : Thirty-nine patients were enrolled. The mean age (+ SD) is 59.7 (+ 12.3) years. Male: female ratio was 2:1. Early
onset post stroke depression was found in 11 patients (28.2%). Mild depressive, less than major depressive, and major
depressive level were found in five patients (12.8%), five patients (12.8%), and one patient (2.6%) respectively. Factors that
statistically significantly related to early onset poststroke depression are left sided stroke lesion, female gender, and absence
of hypertension.
Conclusion : Left sided stroke lesion, female gender, and absence of hypertension are factors contributing to early onset
poststroke depression.
Keywords : Poststroke depression, Ischemic lesion location
