Burden of Post Stroke Depression and Risk Factor Identification

This cross-sectional observational study will be conducted among in-patients and out-patients of the Neurology department at Father Muller Medical College Hospital which is a multispecialty teaching hospital in Mangalore. It is a short study done as part of the post-graduate MD Psychiatry course.

Aim of the Study: To estimate the burden of post stroke depression (PSD) and identify its risk factors.

Objectives:

1. To estimate the prevalence and severity of post stroke depression in the acute phase following stroke.

2. To determine the factors contributing to the development post stroke depression.

3. To identify an association if any between inflammatory markers and PSD.

4. To identify an association if any between infarct location and PSD.

Sampling Method: Convenience (non-random) sampling.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals who have been diagnosed with first or recurrent ischemic stroke.

2. Patient with stroke within the past 3 months.

3. Age group: Above 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with patients with impaired GCS, severe aphasia, cognitive impairment,

hearing/visual impairment interfering with meaningful communication.

2. Patients with past history of psychiatric disorder.

3. Patients with severe medical complications.

Method/study procedure:

The study will be conducted over a 3-month period after approval from the institutional scientific committee and ethics committee.

Written informed consent will be taken from each participant consenting to take part in the study. Participants will receive a patient information sheet explaining the study.

The investigator shall conduct face-to-face interviews with the study participants in the neurology wards at FMMCH, Mangalore.

Data will be collected in the form of a structured proforma, and using the instruments.

The Mini Mental Status Examination will be used to exclude patients with cognitive impairment.

All participants will be evaluated using the Post Stroke Depression Rating Scale (PSDRS) and The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).

MRI/CT brain done as part of diagnostic evaluation of stroke will be used to classify stroke lesion as left or right hemisphere, cortical or subcortical and size of infarct.

Hematological investigations done as part of stroke evaluation will be taken from hospital records to obtain values of inflammatory markers such as total WBC counts, ESR, RDW.

A structured proforma for sociodemographic data, clinical profile, stroke lesion location and duration of illness will be used.