Assessment of depressive symptoms among post stroke patients attending a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Bakare AT; Amin HH; Adebisi A; Abubakar A; Yakubu AI; Yakubu AI; Yahaya H; Bello A; Attahiru A; Abdulsalam HS; Ahmad M; Shehu S; Amira B; Eneojo IS; Lawal HA; Yunusa MA

doi:10.61386/imj.v7i2.446

Authors

Bakare AT Department of Psychiatry Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Amin HH Department of Neurology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Adebisi A Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kware, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Abubakar A Department of Psychiatry Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Yakubu AI Department of Psychiatry Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Yakubu AI Department of Psychiatry Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Yahaya H Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kware, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Bello A Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kware, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Attahiru A Department of Psychiatry Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Abdulsalam HS Department of Psychiatry Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Ahmad M Department of Psychiatry Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Shehu S Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kware, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Amira B Department of Psychiatry Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Eneojo IS Department of Psychiatry Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Lawal HA Department of Psychiatry Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Yunusa MA Department of Psychiatry Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61386/imj.v7i2.446

Keywords:

Depressive-symptoms, stroke, patients, neurology

Abstract

Background: Post Stroke Depression (PSD) occurs in a significant number of patients and constitutes an important complication of stroke, leading to greater disability as well as increased mortality. This study examined depressive symptoms among post stroke patients attending neurology clinic in a tertiary hospital in Northwest Nigeria.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 83 stroke survivors. Participants were administered socio-demographic, clinical characteristics pro-forma questionnaire and depression subscale of the Hospital and Anxiety Depressive Scale (HADS).

Results: The 83 participants recruited for study had a mean age of 56.8 years (s.d. = 10.2) and 62.7 % were female. Majority (60.2%) had formal education, 83.1% were employed, and 73.5% were married. Overall, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 34.9% while 2.4% were rated as having severe depressive symptoms. Unemployment, having disabilities and post stroke complications were significantly associated with depressive symptoms.

Conclusion: The presence of depressive symptoms among stroke patients supports the need to consider routine screen for psychiatry morbidity among patients with medical condition that causes disabilities. Disability has been identified as the main predictor of depressive symptoms. In view of this, psychosocial evaluation and intervention should be integrated into clinical care of stroke patients for early detection of depressive symptoms.