Albumin and depression in elderly stroke survivors: An observational cohort study

• Abstract BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Post-stroke depression affects approximately one third of stroke survivors. In non-stroke affected populations, depressive symptomatology is associated with hypoalbuminemia. This is also common among stroke survivors and associated with poor outcome and increased mortality. The role of stroke-associated hypoalbuminemia in post-stroke depression is not clear. We aimed to explore the relationship between serum albumin and post-stroke depression, as measured 20 months post-stroke. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Observational cohort study of elderly Swedish patients drawn from the 'Gothenburg 70+ Stroke Study' (n=149) and assessed at 20 months after stroke onset. Serum albumin was drawn from venous blood and analysed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Depressive symptomatology was assessed using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and functional impairment was assessed using the Barthel Index. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance analysis showed that serum albumin levels were associated with depressive symptoms at 20 months after stroke. Multivariate analysis of covariance showed that disability scores at 3 days were associated with depressive symptoms at 20 months after stroke and after accounting for the age covariate. Stroke survivors were not clinically deficient in serum albumin. CONCLUSIONS: Low serum albumin appears to be associated with depressive symptoms in elderly individuals long term post-stroke

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Depression; Old age; Outcome; Risk factors; Stroke

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)