Prevalence of Poststroke Depression and Associated Factors in Sri Lanka: A Multicenter Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: The incidence of stroke and resultant disabilities in low- and middle-income countries emphasizes the importance of investigating consequential manifestations such as poststroke depression (PSD). PSD is a common consequence of stroke and is associated with poor quality of life.The main objective of this study was to determine the incidence of PSD and associated factors. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 322 stroke survivors attending neurology clinics at three major tertiary care centers in Sri Lanka. The assessment utilized the Sinhala version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression screening, alongside a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire to explore associated factors. Results: The mean age of the participants was 60.82 (11.91) years, and 59.6% were males and 40.4% were females. Predominantly, ischemic strokes were observed in 84.5% of the patients. A notable 71.4% (n=230) incidence of PSD was identified. The sociodemographic parameters (age, sex, education, income) and clinical factors (stroke type, cognitive level, hemiplegia, concurrent noncommunicable diseases) were significantly associated with PSD at a level of p<0.05. Conclusion/s: Identified factors that are associated with PSD should be further evaluated and addressed by healthcare providers to improve the quality of life of patients.