Anxiety and depression in stroke patients at the Thai Red Cross Rehabilitation Center.

Abstract

Background : Post - stroke depression is a common complication and it impedes the recovery and interrupts rehabilitation programs. The study of emotional symptoms in stroke patients on the rehabilitation phase in the rehabilitation center should be evaluated.

Objectives : 1. To determine the anxiety and depression symptoms in stroke patients before and after rehabilitation program 2. To identify the associating factors that influence emotional symptoms.

Design : Retrospective analytical study

Setting : The Thai Red Cross Rehabilitation Center, Samutprakarn Province.

Patients : All stroke patients who were admitted to the Thai Red Cross Rehabilitation Center between June 2008 – May 2009 with completed the Thai mental state examination (TMSE) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) upon admission and discharge from rehabilitation programs.

Material and Method : Medical records and results of TMSE and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for stroke patients were reviewed. The total number of records that met the criteria was 59. The patients’ scores were classified either into anxiety group or depression group. The factors that influence anxiety and depression were identified using logistic regression analysis.

Result : At 59 stroke patients, met the patients who suffered from anxiety and depression symptoms were 42.4% and 49.1% respectively. After the rehabilitation program, the anxiety and depression symptoms decreased to 17% for anxiety and 25.4% for depression. There was statistically significant association between anxiety and depression and psychological factors influenced emotional symptoms.

Conclusion : The anxiety and depression symptoms in stroke patients at the Thai Red Cross Rehabilitation Center statistically significantly decreased after the rehabilitation programs. Psychological factors influenced to emotional symptoms and there was association between anxiety and depression symptoms.