Frequent post-stroke depression among black and Hispanic survivors

In the United States, nearly 800,000 people suffer a stroke each year, the after-effects are likely to change their lives.

Often, it is the long-term physical complications that receive most attention, ranging from temporary weakness to permanent paralysis to difficulty swallowing, talking or thinking.

According to new research, about one third of black and Hispanic stroke survivors are often victims of depression, with people born outside the United States being particularly at risk.

"There is a gap in the understanding of post-stroke depression, especially among black and Hispanic stroke survivors," said lead researcher Adebayo Ogunlade of the Center for Disease Control. Healthful Behavior Change of the NYU School of Medicine. "These groups have been underrepresented in studies of stroke survivors."

The findings will be reported this week at the International Stroke Conference of the American Stroke Association in Honolulu. The study included interviews with 445 survivors of black and Hispanic strokes with uncontrolled hypertension who were participating in an ongoing clinical trial in stroke centers in New York.

A post stroke depression was reported by 32% of survivors, which is consistent with previous research on all stroke survivors. Depressed survivors were more likely to have cognitive and physical impairment, to be a woman, to have a disability, to have an annual income of less than $ 25,000 or to have a disability. have at least three other health problems.

The study is the first to suggest that depression is more common among stroke survivors born abroad than among those born in the United States. According to Ogunlade, they could "suffer from increased social isolation, the absence of caregivers and their inability to navigate the (medical) system".

"Depression is common after a stroke for a multitude of reasons that are not yet fully understood," said neurologist neurologist Amytis Towfighi, who did not participate in the study. This may be due to the fact that stroke can have "wide effects on the life, relationships, roles and independence of an individual, and that biological factors are likely to be at stake, such as neurotransmitters and brain pathways, "said Towfighi, head of the department of neurology at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.

Previous studies have shown that victims of depressive stroke are less likely to fully recover, have a poorer quality of life, and have a higher risk of death than stroke survivors. who do not suffer from depression.

For the new study, researchers were not able to determine whether participants were depressed or taking an antidepressant before their stroke. Noting this limitation, Ogunlade said his team was now reviewing participants' medical records to find out.

But for now, he explained that the results highlight why "doctors should screen for depression in all patients with stroke".

Towfighi acknowledged that screening is important. But she pointed out that it was only beneficial if a process was in place to manage depressed patients by providing them with appropriate treatment, follow-up and referrals.

"More research is needed to better understand the driving forces of post-stroke depression" and to determine the optimal methods for identifying and managing depression in vulnerable populations. "

The American Heart Association News covers the health of the heart and brain. All opinions expressed in this story do not reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is the property of the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. If you have any questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].