A recent meta-analysis, published in the journal Ageing Research Reviews, found that post-stroke depression (PSD) is significantly associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality in stroke survivors.
Researchers conducted a search across electronic databases and identified 15 prospective cohort studies including 250,294 participants that evaluated the association between PSD and risk for stroke recurrence and mortality. 139,119 cases were followed for mortality and 157 for recurrent stroke events with the follow-up period ranging from 1 to 15 years.
The pooled results of 14 trials showed that PSD was significantly associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.30-1.96). There was insufficient evidence to determine the association between PSD and stroke recurrence.
Authors wrote, “Considering the high prevalence and incidence of PSD, it is highly recommended to provide regular assessment and management in patients who have a stroke history, although the causal mechanisms underlying associations with adverse outcomes require further clarification.”
