Determinants of Antidepressant Treatment and Outpatient Rehabilitation Within the First Year After Stroke

• Published in: Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology 2022-01, Vol.35 (1), p.135-144
• Main Authors: Ladwig, Simon, Werheid, Katja
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Outpatients; Prospective Studies; Stroke - drug therapy; Stroke Rehabilitation
• ISSN: 0891-9887; 1552-5708
• DOI: 10.1177/0891988720973749

This study aims to identify individual determinants of antidepressant treatment and outpatient rehabilitation after stroke. People with ischemic stroke (N = 303) recruited at 2 inpatient rehabilitation clinics were included into a prospective longitudinal study with follow-up telephone interviews 6 and 12 months later. Participants reported on their use of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy as well as physical, occupational, speech, and neuropsychological therapy. The use of antidepressants at discharge (n = 65, 23.8%) was predicted by the severity of depressive symptoms, severity of stroke, history of depression, and use of antidepressants at admission (all p < .05, R2= .55). The number of outpatient rehabilitation services used at follow-ups was predicted by higher functional and cognitive impairment, higher education, younger age, severity of depressive symptoms, and lower self-efficacy (all p < .05; R26M = .24, R212M = .49). The relevance of identified determinants for the improvement of treatment rates after stroke is discussed.