Depression Status Is Associated with Functional Decline Over 1-Year Following Acute Stroke

Association between post-stroke depression and functional outcomes: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a frequent problem in stroke patients, affecting their rehabilitation process and functional outcomes. Several studies have investigated the relationship between PSD and functional outcomes, but the results have been inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review of non-experimental studies aims to investigate the prevalence of post-stroke depression and the association between post-stroke depression and functional outcomes.

METHOD

A search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CINAHL Plus with Full Text was carried out from inception until January 2024. The literature was screened using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, with relevant papers included. We extracted data from non-experimental studies that examined associations between PSD and functional outcomes. The Joanna Briggs Institute for systematic reviews was used for critical appraisal.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies met the study criteria, including sixteen cohort studies, four cross-sectional studies, and one case-control study. PSD prevalences ranged from 12.2% to 32.2% in the first two weeks, 17.9 to 35.5% in the first month, and 10.4% to 32.0% in the third month following a stroke. Functional outcomes were evaluated in four domains: degree of dependence, basic activity of daily living, instrumental activity of daily living, and physical and cognitive function. Significant associations between PSD and functional outcomes were identified after controlling potential factors such as age, comorbidities, and stroke severity. PSD had negative associations with functional outcomes in all four measure domains from one month to five years after a stroke. Depression treatment showed positive results on functional outcomes in stroke patients.

CONCLUSION

PSD prevalence was high in the first three months after stroke. PSD is significantly associated with poor functional outcomes. PSD assessment and management should be performed on a frequent basis in the early stages of stroke to achieve the best possible functional recovery.

Natural history of depression up to 18 years after stroke: a population-based South London Stroke Register study

Background

Current evidence on the long-term natural history of post-stroke depression (PSD) is limited. We aim to determine the prevalence, incidence, duration and recurrence rates of depression to 18-years after stroke and assess differences by onset-time and depression severity.

Methods

Data were from the South London Stroke Register (1995-2019, N = 6641 at registration). Depression was defined using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (scores > 7 = depression) at 3-months, then annually to 18-years after stroke. We compared early- (3-months post-stroke) vs late-onset depression (1-year) and initial mild (HADS scores > 7) vs severe depression (scores > 10).

Findings

3864 patients were assessed for depression at any time-points during the follow-up (male:55.4% (2141), median age: 68.0 (20.4)), with the number ranging from 2293 at 1-year to 145 at 18-years after stroke. Prevalence of PSD ranged from 31.3% (28.9-33.8) to 41.5% (33.6-49.3). The cumulative incidence of depression was 59.4% (95% CI 57.8-60.9), of which 87.9% (86.5-89.2) occurred within 5-years after stroke. Of patients with incident PSD at 3-months after stroke, 46.6% (42.1-51.2) recovered after 1 year. Among those recovered, 66.7% (58.0-74.5) experienced recurrent depression and 94.4% (87.5-98.2) of recurrences occurred within 5-years since recovery. Similar estimates were observed in patients with PSD at 1-year. 34.3% (27.9-41.1) of patients with severe depression had recovered at the next time-point, compared to 56.7% (50.5-62.8) with mild depression. Recurrence rate at 1-year after recovery was higher in patients with severe depression (52.9% (35.1-70.2)) compared to mild depression (23.5% (14.1-35.4)) (difference: 29.4% (7.6-51.2), p = 0.003).

Interpretation

Long-term depressive status may be established by 5-years post-onset. Early- and late-onset depression presented similar natural history, while severe depression had a longer duration and quicker recurrence than mild depression. These estimates were limited to alive patients completing the depression assessment, who tended to have less severe stroke than excluded patients, so may be underestimated and not generalizable to all stroke survivors.

Funding

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR202339).

Feasibility and user-experience of a virtual environment for social connection and education after stroke: A pilot study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the feasibility and usability of stroke survivor participation in an 8-week virtual environment intervention that provides opportunities for social support exchanges, social network interactions, and recovery education.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-group, pre- and post-test measure design was used. Descriptive statistics were used to examine enrollment and retention rates, proportion of questionnaires completed, and virtual environment process data (e.g., number of log-ins) and usability scores. Changes in pre- and post-intervention questionnaire (e.g., usability, social support, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and self-efficacy) scores were explored using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and paired t-test.

RESULTS

Fifteen (65 %) of the eligible stroke survivors enrolled (60 % white, 27 % black), 12 (80 %) had an ischemic stroke, ages ranged from 33 to 74 years (mean 44 years), and mean months since stroke was 33 ± 23. Retention and questionnaire completion rates were both 93 % (n = 14). Survivors logged into the virtual environment a total of 122 times, logged an average of 49 min/log-in, and 12 (80 %) attended support groups and social activities. Median usability score indicated lower than average usability. Improvement trends in social support, loneliness, and depressive symptoms were found, but significant changes in mean questionnaire scores were not found.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the results suggest that using a virtual environment to foster social support exchanges, social network interactions, and recovery education after stroke is feasible. Similar to other chronic disease populations, stroke survivor adoption of a virtual environment likely requires ongoing technical assistance, repetition of instructions, and opportunities for practice to reinforce engagement.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05487144.

The factors associated with the deterioration of activities of daily life in stroke patients: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The activities of daily life (ADL) of stroke patients generally improves after rehabilitation. However, some patients remain at risk of ADL deterioration in the future. So far, there have been few studies on the factors related to ADL deterioration in stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the factors related to ADL deterioration in stroke patients with independent mobility after discharge.

METHODS

We assessed 336 stroke patients with independent mobility who were discharged from the rehabilitation center between January 2016 and December 2018. The primary outcome was ADL deterioration, defined as that ADL assessed at 2 years after discharge decreased more than 15 points compared with that assessed at discharge. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were conducted to screen for factors related to ADL deterioration.

RESULTS

Overall, 62 (18.4%) patients exhibited ADL deterioration at 2 years after discharge.Age (OR = 1.114, 95%CI = 1.045-1.188, p = 0.001), vascular risk factors>3 (OR = 3.269, 95%CI = 1.189-8.986, p = 0.022) and with post-stroke depression (OR = 2.486, 95%CI = 1.011-6.114, p = 0.047) were risk factors for ADL deterioration in stroke patients. In contrast, elevated Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores at discharge was a protective factor for ADL deterioration (OR = 0.484, 95%CI = 0.386-0.606, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly 1 in 5 stroke patients with independent mobility experienced ADL deterioration at 2 years after discharge. Aging, vascular risk factors>3, BBS at discharge, and post-stroke depression (PSD) were identified as factors associated with ADL deterioration.

Impact of depression on stroke outcomes among stroke survivors: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Depression may negatively affect stroke outcomes and the progress of recovery. However, there is a lack of updated comprehensive evidence to inform clinical practice and directions of future studies. In this review, we report the multidimensional impact of depression on stroke outcomes.

METHODS

Data sources. PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Global Index Medicus were searched from the date of inception. Eligibility criteria. Prospective studies which investigated the impact of depression on stroke outcomes (cognition, returning to work, quality of life, functioning, and survival) were included. Data extraction. Two authors extracted data independently and solved the difference with a third reviewer using an extraction tool developed prior. The extraction tool included sample size, measurement, duration of follow-up, stroke outcomes, statistical analysis, and predictors outcomes. Risk of bias. We used Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) to assess the quality of the included studies.

RESULTS

Eighty prospective studies were included in the review. These studies investigated the impact of depression on the ability to return to work (n = 4), quality of life (n = 12), cognitive impairment (n = 5), functioning (n = 43), and mortality (n = 24) where a study may report on more than one outcome. Though there were inconsistencies, the evidence reported that depression had negative consequences on returning to work, functioning, quality of life, and mortality rate. However, the impact on cognition was not conclusive. In the meta-analysis, depression was associated with premature mortality (HR: 1.61 (95% CI; 1.33, 1.96)), and worse functioning (OR: 1.64 (95% CI; 1.36, 1.99)).

CONCLUSION

Depression affects many aspects of stroke outcomes including survival The evidence is not conclusive on cognition and there was a lack of evidence in low-income settings. The results showed the need for early diagnosis and intervention of depression after stroke. The protocol was pre-registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Review (PROSPERO) (CRD42021230579).

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2023 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2022 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. The American Heart Association strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) publications, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

The influence of a virtual reality entertainment program on depressive symptoms and sedentary behaviour in inpatient stroke survivors: a research protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background

Sedentary behaviour among stroke inpatients may be due to high rates of depressive symptoms after stroke. Thus, efforts to address depressive symptoms among stroke inpatients are warranted to in turn lessen sedentary behaviour. Despite evidence that virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a method to help with depression, the use of VR to improve depression among inpatient stroke survivors has yet to be studied. In this paper, we report on the protocol investigating the feasibility of a VR entertainment system at improving depressive symptoms among stroke survivors receiving inpatient rehabilitation.

Methods

In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 30 inpatient stroke survivors from the rehabilitation unit at Kelowna General Hospital will be randomized to either (1) intervention: 3 times per week of VR entertainment for duration of inpatient rehabilitation or (2) control: usual care. Individuals will be included if they have a confirmed diagnosis of stroke, are 19 years of age or older, able to provide informed consent, have physician clearance to participate in the study (medically stable or fit), or are able to understand English. Outcome measures to address depressive symptoms (primary outcome), sedentary behaviour, motivation, anxiety, stress, and happiness (secondary outcome) will be administered at two timepoints: (1) baseline (T1) and (2) post-intervention (T2). Study analyses will consider study feasibility indicators and clinical (statistical) outcomes. Means and standard deviations (for continuous variables) and frequencies and proportions (for categorical variables) will be used to summarize the variables. Feasibility indicators will be dichotomized into either ‘success’ if they meet the a priori criteria, or ‘revise’ if they do not meet the criteria. Intervention effects post-intervention (T2) for the primary and secondary clinical outcomes will be estimated using linear regression including baseline (T1) controlling for age and sex.

Discussion

The results of this trial will add to our understanding of depression and sedentary behaviour among individuals receiving inpatient stroke rehabilitation as well as the feasibility of a VR entertainment program to improve depressive symptoms, which will in turn may lessen sedentary behaviour in inpatient stroke survivors.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04011202 . First posted July 8, 2019 (study postponed from March 2020 to July 2021 due to COVID-19).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40814-022-01189-8.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2022 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2022 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year's edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population and an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, vascular contributions to brain health, and the global burden of cardiovascular disease and healthy life expectancy.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Family Functioning is Associated with Post-Stroke Depression in First-Ever Stroke Survivors: A Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

Post-stroke depression (PSD) can aggravate the mortality and recurrence rate in stroke patients. The relationship between family functioning and PSD at different phases after a first-ever stroke is unclear. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate the patterns and relationship of family functioning and PSD at acute hospitalization and 6 months post-discharge in first-ever stroke survivors.

METHODS

This is a longitudinal study conducted in Guangzhou, China. Family functioning and depression were measured by the Short Form Family Assessment Device (SF-FAD) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) at baseline and 6 months post-discharge. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between family functioning and PSD.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PSD at acute hospitalization and 6 months post-discharge was 32.9% and 20.0%, respectively. SDS scores decreased significantly from baseline to 6 months post-discharge, while SF-FAD scores did not change significantly during this period. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that SF-FAD scores were positively associated with SDS scores at the two time points (r ₁ = 0.341, r ₂ = 0.510, P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that SF-FAD scores could predict PSD at baseline (unstandardized coefficient: 7.010, P < 0.05) and 6 months post-discharge (unstandardized coefficient: 9.672, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study found that first-ever stroke survivors had good family functioning at baseline and 6 months post-discharge. The findings in this study verified that poor family functioning is positively associated with PSD at different phases post-stroke. Good family functioning is an important protective factor against PSD.

Sex Differences in Post-Stroke Depression in the Elderly

OBJECTIVE

Post-stroke depression (PSD) occurs in approximately one-third of ischemic stroke patients. However, there is conflicting evidence on sex differences in PSD. We sought to assess sex differences in risk and time course of PSD in US ischemic stroke (IS) patients. We hypothesized that women are at greater risk of PSD than men, and that a greater proportion of women experience PSD in the acute post-stroke phase.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 100% de-identified data for US Medicare beneficiaries admitted for ischemic stroke from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017. We calculated Kaplan-Meier unadjusted cumulative risk of depression, stratified by sex, up to 1.5 years following index admission. We performed Cox regression to report the hazard ratio (HR) for diagnosis of depression up to 1.5 years post-stroke in females vs. males, adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidities, length of stay, and acute stroke interventions.

RESULTS

In elderly stroke patients, females (n=90,474) were 20% more likely to develop PSD than males (n=84,427) in adjusted models. Cumulative risk of depression was consistently elevated for females throughout 1.5 years of follow-up (0.2055 [95% CI 0.2013-0.2097] vs. 0.1690 [95% CI 0.1639-0.1741] (log-rank p < 0.0001). HR for PSD in females vs. males remained significant in fully adjusted analysis at 1.20 (95% CI 1.17-1.23, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Over 1.5 years of follow-up, female stroke patients had significantly greater hazard of developing PSD, highlighting the need for long-term depression screening in this population and further investigation of underlying reasons for sex differences.

Functional outcomes among stroke patients in Alagoas, Brazil: observational study

BACKGROUND

Stroke is the principal cause of disability around the world and the ensuing functional dependence (FD) can be correlated with different factors.

OBJECTIVE

To determine how demographic factors and clinical characteristics after stroke distinguish patients who achieve functional independence from those who do not.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Observational study at specialized neurovascular clinic in Alagoas, Brazil.

METHODS

FD was classified according to the modified Rankin scale (mRs): 0 to 2 points were classified as independent (FD-), and 3 to 5 points were classified as dependent (FD+). Logistic regression analysis included age, sedentary lifestyle, the Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D) and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The Mann-Whitney test and χ2 test were used to compare groups.

RESULTS

We included 190 stroke patients with a mean age of 60.02 ± 14.22 years. We found that 34.8% of the patients were classified as FD+. Lower NIHSS and CES-D scores were more associated with achieving functional independence. Most of the patients had access to physical therapy, and the mean duration of rehabilitation therapy was 65.2 minutes per week. Females had higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (P = 0.005) and rehabilitation time was shorter for hemorrhagic stroke (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

We found a FD rate four times greater than in another Brazilian study. Lower stroke severity and fewer depressive symptoms were associated with achieving functional independence. Less than half of the patients were referred to a rehabilitation service at hospital discharge and few had access to multidisciplinary treatment.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2021 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2021 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year's edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, vascular contributions to brain health, the global burden of cardiovascular disease, and further evidence-based approaches to changing behaviors related to cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

Each of the 27 chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policy makers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Patterns of antidepressant therapy and clinical outcomes among ischaemic stroke survivors

Background and purpose

Depression is common after stroke and is often treated with antidepressant medications (AD). ADs have also been hypothesised to improve stroke recovery, although recent randomised trials were neutral. We investigated the patterns of in-hospital AD initiation after ischaemic stroke and association with clinical and readmission outcomes.

Methods

All Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 or older hospitalised for ischaemic stroke in participating Get With The Guidelines-Stroke hospitals between April and December 2014 were eligible for this analysis. Outcome measures included days alive and not in a healthcare institution (home time), all-cause mortality and readmission within 1-year postdischarge. Propensity score (PS)-adjusted logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between AD use and each outcome measure. We also compared outcomes in patients prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) AD versus those prescribed non-SSRI ADs.

Results

Of 21 805 AD naïve patients included in this analysis, 1835 (8.4%) were started on an AD at discharge. Patients started on an AD had higher rates of depression and prior ischaemic stroke, presented with higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and were less likely to be discharged home. Similarly, patients started on an SSRI had lower rates of discharge to home. Adjusting for stroke severity, patients started on an AD had worse all-cause mortality, all-cause readmission, major adverse cardiac events, readmission for depression and decreased home-time. However, AD use was also associated with an increased risk for the sepsis, a falsification endpoint, suggesting the presence of residual confounding.

Conclusions

Patients with ischaemic stroke initiated on AD therapy are at increased risk of poor clinical outcomes and readmission even after PS adjustment, suggesting that poststroke depression requiring medication is a poor prognostic sign. Further research is needed to explore the reasons why depression is associated with worse outcome, and whether AD treatment modifies this risk or not.

Validation of the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Post Stroke

OBJECTIVE

To establish reliability and validity of the abbreviated (10-item) Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) among individuals post stroke.

METHOD

The psychometric properties of the CESD-10 were evaluated in 1219 adults with stroke admitted to an eligible inpatient rehabilitation facilities (n = 11) across 9 different states post stroke during 2005 to 2006. This study was a secondary data analysis of the existing publicly available clinical trial dataset, Stroke Recovery in Underserved Populations study. Reliability, validity, factory structure and item-level psychometrics of the CESD-10 were examined. In addition, the predictive accuracy of the CESD-10 was compared against the CESD-20 (criterion).

RESULTS

The CESD-10 was highly correlated with the CESD-20 (r = 0.97). The CESD-10 had good internal reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.86). The CESD-20 and CESD-10 had similar accuracy in classifying individuals as depressed (Kappa = 0.85).

CONCLUSION

The 10-item CESD is a valid measure of depression for individuals post stroke.

Persistent depression is a predictor of quality of life in stroke survivors: results from a 5-year follow-up study of a Chinese cohort

BACKGROUND

Whether the time course of post-stroke depression (PSD) can be used to predict the quality of life (QoL) of patients with late-stage stroke remains unclear, this study investigated whether persistent depression at 1 year after stroke predicts QoL at 5 years following stroke.

METHODS

We analyzed the demographic and clinical data of patients with stroke in 56 hospitals across China that participated in the Prospective Cohort Study on the Incidence and Outcome of Patients with PSD in China Study. Follow-up assessments were performed at the following time points after stroke: in person, 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year; by telephone, 5 years. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission, recurrence, disability, depression, QoL, and chronic complications were recorded. Depression was diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. QoL was measured using short form-12 (SF-12). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that independently affected the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores of the SF-12.

RESULTS

Of the 801 patients evaluated in this study, 80 had persistent depression. The multivariable regression analysis of data obtained at 5 years showed that persistent depression at 1 year (odds ratio [OR]: 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29-0.81) and disability at 5 years (OR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.23-0.49) were associated with poor MCS scores at 5 years. Old age, a high NIHSS score on admission, disability at 5 years, and stroke recurrence within 5 years were associated with poor PCS scores at the 5-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent depression at the 1-year follow-up could predict poor MCS scores at the 5-year follow-up. The development of interventional strategies targeting post-stroke patients with persistent depression is warranted.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2020 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports on the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2020 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year's edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, metrics to assess and monitor healthy diets, an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, a focus on the global burden of cardiovascular disease, and further evidence-based approaches to changing behaviors, implementation strategies, and implications of the American Heart Association's 2020 Impact Goals.

RESULTS

Each of the 26 chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policy makers, media professionals, clinicians, healthcare administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.