The role of inflammation in the development of post-stroke depression in elderly patients

Цель исследования - изучение роли цитокинов, соотношения нейтрофилов и лимфоцитов в развитии постинсультной депрессии (ПД) у больных пожилого возраста. В исследование были включены 110 больных с острым ишемическим инсультом, из них 60 человек среднего возраста (52±5 лет) и 50 - пожилого возраста (66±4 года). Контрольную группу составили 20 человек среднего возраста без инсульта в анамнезе. Через 3 мес наблюдения ПД в пожилом возрасте развилась у 28 (56 %) больных, в среднем возрасте - у 26 (43,3 %). Больные пожилого возраста с ишемическим инсультом, у которых развилась ПД, были достоверно старше (7,9 %, р<0,05), чаще имели артериальную гипертензию (12,4 %, р<0,05), уровень гликемии выше на 16,1 % (р<0,05), триглицеридов - на 14 % (р<0,05), ЛПНП - на 12,8 % (р<0,05). Больные среднего возраста с ПД имели ИМТ выше на 8,1 % (р<0,05), уровень гликемии - на 9,6 % (р<0,05), триглицеридов - на 10,9 % (р<0,05), ЛПНП - на 9,7 % (р<0,05), чем больные без депрессии. Пожилые больные с ишемическим инсультом и ПД имели более высокий уровень цитокинов - IL-1β был выше на 35,4 % (р<0,01), TNF-α - на 27 % (р<0,01), INF-γ - на 18 % (р<0,01), чем у больных без ПД. У больных пожилого возраста с ПД соотношение нейтрофилов и лимфоцитов (Н/Л) было на 46 % (p<0,001) выше, чем у больных без ПД. В группе больных пожилого возраста при наличии ПД соотношение Н/Л было на 50 % (p<0,001) выше, чем в аналогичной группе среднего возраста. Таким образом, у пожилых больных с ишемическим инсультом уровень маркеров воспаления может иметь прогностическое значение в развитии постинсультной депрессии. The aim of the study was to study the role of cytokines, the ratio of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the development of post-stroke depression in elderly patients. The study included 110 patients with acute ischemic stroke, including 60 middle-aged people (52±5 years) and 50 elderly people (66±4 years). The control group consisted of 20 middle-aged people without a history of stroke. After 3 months of follow-up, post-stroke depression (PSD) developed in the elderly in 28 patients (56 %), in the middle age in 26 patients (43,3 %). Patients with ischemic stroke in the elderly who developed PSD were significantly older (7,9 %, p<0,05), more often had arterial hypertension (12,4 %, p<0,05), the level of glucose was 16,1 % higher (p<0,05), triglycerides by 14 % (p<0,05), LDL-C by 12,8 % (p<0,05). In middle age, patients with post-stroke depression had a body mass index higher by 8,1 % (p<0,05), a glucose level by 9,6 % (p<0,05), triglycerides by 10,9 % (p<0,05), LDL-C by 9,7 % (p<0,05) than patients without PSD. Elderly patients with ischemic stroke and PSD had higher levels of cytokines - IL-1β was 35,4 % higher (p<0,01), TNF-α by 27 % (p<0,01), INF-γ by 18 % (p<0,01) than in patients without PSD. In elderly patients with PSD, the ratio of neutrophils and lymphocytes (N/L) is 46 % (p<0,001) higher than in patients without PSD. In the elderly, in the presence of PSD, the N/L ratio was 50 % (p<0,001) higher than in the same middle-aged group. Thus, in elderly patients with ischemic stroke, the level of inflammatory markers may have a prognostic value in the development of post-stroke depression.

Post-Stroke Depression: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Relationship to Disability in a Tertiary Care Center in Sri Lanka

Background and Objectives The prevalence of stroke in urban Sri Lanka is estimated at 10.4 per 1000 and is expected to rise. Post-stroke depression (PSD) is an independent predictor of poor long-term outcomes. It leads to suboptimal rehabilitation, decreased quality of life, and increased mortality and is under-recognized. The main objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of depression in stroke, assess factors associated with PSD, and assess the relationship of PSD to disability. Materials and Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Neurology and Medical Ward, National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Non-probability, consecutive sampling was used to collect data from patients with ischemic stroke admitted from January 2019 to January 2020. Patients with significant pre-existing depression, cognitive impairment, and language deficits were excluded. A structured, pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence and associated factors of PSD. Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered 3 months following the stroke to screen for depression. Modified Rankin Score (MRS) was used to assess disability on admission, discharge, and at 3 months. Results Eighty-one stroke patients were screened. The mean age was 66.6 years (±standard deviation [SD]: 12.5). Male:female ratio was 1.2:1. Depression at 3 months of follow-up was observed in 35.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 25.4–47.2%) of participants. Following bivariate analysis, large vessel stroke (p < 0.001), cortical stroke (p < 0.001), frontal lobe lesions (p < 0.001), history of past stroke (p = 0.014), and sexual dysfunction (p = 0.026) were associated with increased risk of PSD. The odds of a person with severe disability developing PSD was 7.9 times more than a person with a less severe disability at discharge from hospital and at 3 months of follow-up (odds ratio [OR] =7.9; 95% CI: 2.7–23.3, p = 0.000). Conclusions PSD occurs in one-third of strokes, keeping with previous studies. The risk of having PSD is higher among patients with severe disabilities. The difference in risk factors identified compared with previous studies can be attributable to differences in methodology. Identifying risk factors for post-stroke depression is essential to mitigate the poor outcome.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for the Prevention of Post-Stroke Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

There are controversial data on the efficacy and safety profile of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to prevent post-stroke depression (PSD). We performed a systematic search in MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases to identify randomized-controlled trials questioning the use of early SSRI therapy in the post-stroke population and its effect on PSD incidence. We included 6 studies with 6560 participants. We extracted the data on PSD occurrence in association with the treatment arm (SSRI versus placebo), as reported by each study. For safety analysis, we extracted the information on adverse events. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled relative risk estimates. Early SSRI therapy was associated with a significant reduction of PSD occurrence compared to placebo (10.4% versus 13.8%; relative risk: 0.75 [95% CI, 0.66–0.86]; absolute risk reduction: 3.4%). SSRI therapy increases the risk of bone fracture (RR 2.28 [95% CI, 1.58–3.30]) and nausea (RR 2.05 [95% CI, 1.10–3.82]) in the post-stroke population. Considering the risk-benefit ratio of early SSRI therapy in the post-stroke population, future research should identify high-risk patients for PSD to improve the risk-benefit consideration of this therapy for use in clinical practice.