Can patients who have had a stroke be screened for depression?

This paper studied the occurrence and screening for depression in patients who have had a stroke. 

Around a third of patients who have had a stroke suffer from depression. A stroke can lead to difficulty with movements. Studies have found an association between difficulty with movement and depression after stroke. Thus, it is important to detect depression in patients who have had a stroke, so that the right care can be given. 

This study looked at whether depression can be screened for soon after patients have had a stroke. The effect of screening is also studied.

158 patients who had a stroke were screened for depression. Screening was done by a questionnaire. The average time for screening was 2.5 days after admission to hospital. Patients with at least minimal depression were given educational materials. Patients with mild to moderate levels of depression were cared for by a social worker and medical team.

Overall, more than one-third of patients had depression upon screening. Patients who were older were 3% less likely to have depression upon screening. Female patients were 2.06 times more likely to have depression upon screening than male patients.

Depression did significantly increase the risk of a poor outcome following stroke. However, patients with a poor outcome had more severe disability following a stroke. 

The authors concluded that screening for depression in patients who have recently had a stroke is feasible.