INCIDENCE OF DEPRESSION IN THE ATTENDANTS OF STROKE PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL BASE PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and emotional distress, significantly impacting not only survivors but also their caregivers. The emotional burden of caregiving often predisposes attendants to depression, particularly when coupled with the patient’s functional dependence. Despite the significant role caregivers play in patient rehabilitation, depression among attendants remains under-recognized and under-researched, especially in low-resource settings. Early detection and management of caregiver depression are crucial for optimizing patient and caregiver outcomes.

Objective: To determine the incidence of depression among attendants of stroke patients admitted to a hospital-based setting.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted over six months in the Department of Medicine at CMH Lahore. A total of 77 attendants of stroke survivors, providing care for more than six months, were enrolled using a consecutive non-probability sampling technique. Depression was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), while the functional status of stroke survivors was evaluated using the Barthel Index. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and follow-up phone calls. Numerical variables were presented as means and standard deviations, and categorical variables as frequencies and percentages. Statistical associations were analyzed using appropriate tests, with a significance level set at p≤0.05.

Results: Among the 77 attendants, 31 (40.2%) were males and 46 (59.7%) were females, with a mean age of 36 ± 3 years. Depression was diagnosed in 61 (79.2%) attendants, further categorized as possible depression in 14 (22.9%), mild to moderate depression in 31 (50.8%), and severe depression in 16 (26.2%). Depression severity was inversely correlated with the Barthel Index, with scores below 20 commonly seen in severe cases. Depression prevalence was significantly associated with female gender (p=0.05), lower educational attainment (p=0.04), lower monthly income (p=0.03), nuclear family structure, and marital status.

Conclusion: Depression among attendants of stroke patients is highly prevalent and influenced by multiple sociodemographic factors. Screening and addressing caregiver depression is vital for the well-being of both caregivers and stroke survivors, and strategies should be developed to provide timely psychological support.