Poststroke Depression: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Really? You don't know the best treatment? How about 100% recovery? Then you don't have to even worry about treating this secondary problem. Do you ever actually think about stroke?

Poststroke Depression: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Amytis Towfighi

,

Bruce Ovbiagele

,

Nada El Husseini

,

Maree L. Hackett

,

Ricardo E. Jorge

,

Brett M. Kissela

,

Pamela H. Mitchell

,

Lesli E. Skolarus

,

Mary A. Whooley

, and

Linda S. Williams

and on behalf of the American Heart Association Stroke Council; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; and Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research

Originally published8 Dec 2016https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0000000000000113Stroke. 2017;48:e30–e43

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Abstract

Poststroke depression (PSD) is common, affecting approximately one third of stroke survivors at any one time after stroke. Individuals with PSD are at a higher risk for suboptimal recovery, recurrent vascular events, poor quality of life, and mortality. Although PSD is prevalent, uncertainty remains regarding predisposing risk factors and optimal strategies for prevention and treatment. This is the first scientific statement from the American Heart Association on the topic of PSD. Members of the writing group were appointed by the American Heart Association Stroke Council’s Scientific Statements Oversight Committee and the American Heart Association’s Manuscript Oversight Committee(Then you chose the wrong members, survivors know more about this than you do.). Members were assigned topics relevant to their areas of expertise and reviewed appropriate literature, references to published clinical and epidemiology studies, clinical and public health guidelines, authoritative statements, and expert opinion. This multispecialty statement provides a comprehensive review of the current evidence and gaps in current knowledge of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, outcomes, management, and prevention of PSD, and provides implications for clinical practice.

Introduction

Depression occurs in approximately one third of stroke survivors at any one time¹ and is associated with poor functional outcomes² and higher mortality.³ Although poststroke depression (PSD) is one of the most common complications after stroke, few guidelines exist regarding assessment, treatment, and prevention of PSD. This scientific statement summarizes published evidence on the causes, predisposing factors, epidemiology, screening, treatment, and prevention of PSD; illuminates gaps in the literature; and provides management implications for clinical practice.