Relationship between poststroke depression and ischemic lesion location.

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.