Analysing Post Stroke Depression (PSD) Levels in Stroke Patients Using Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale

Objectives: Post stroke Depression (PSD) is most common emotional disorder affecting stroke sufferers. This study is to find out the levels of depression in Stroke patients using Zung Self Rating Depression Scale and to find out if depression levels relates with gender, cause of stroke, number of arteries involved in ischemic stroke, presence of risk factors like hypertension&diabetes mellitus&side affected among patients who suffered stroke. Method: 100 stroke patients who had suffered the attack minimum of 2 weeks back were included in this study. Their depression levels were analyzed on the basis of their response in Zung Self Rating Depression Scale. Chi square test was used to analyze the data with Pearson's correlation to relate depression levels with gender, cause of stroke, number of arteries involved in ischemic stroke, presence of risk factors like hypertension and diabetes mellitus&side affected in Stroke. Results: Stroke survivors were found to have moderate (60-69) to severe scores(70&above) on Zung Self Rated Depression scale. Depression levels were found to be significantly higher in right sided stroke patients i.e. left hemispheric involvement (p<0.05). Gender, cause of stroke, number of arteries involved in ischemic stroke, presence of multiple risk factors did not have any significant effect on levels of depression in Stroke patients.  Conclusion: Identification of PSD at an early stage is important for early intervention for the same to enhance outcomes of rehabilitative process of stroke patients, it should be understood that involvement of right side in stroke can cause higher levels of depression due to frontal lobe affection & impairment of activities of daily living with right side being the dominant side.