Initiation of antidepressants in young adults after ischemic stroke: a registry-based follow-up study

• Objective: Data on post-stroke use of antidepressants in young individuals are scarce. We examined pattern and factors associated with initiating post-stroke antidepressants (PSAD) after ischemic stroke (IS) in young adults. Methods: Helsinki Young Stroke Registry includes patients aged 15–49years with first-ever IS, 1994–2007. Data on prescriptions, hospitalizations and death came from nationwide registers. We defined time of initiating PSAD as time of the first filled prescription for antidepressants within 1year from IS. We assessed factors associated with initiating PSAD with multivariable Cox regression models, allowing for time-varying effects when appropriate. Results: We followed 888 patients, of which 206 (23.2%) initiated PSAD. Higher hazard of starting PSAD within the first 100days appeared among patients with mild versus no limb paresis 2.53 (95% confidence interval 1.48–4.31) and during later follow-up among those with silent infarcts (2.04; 1.27–3.28), prior use of antidepressants (2.09; 1.26–3.46) and moderate versus mild stroke (2.06; 1.18–3.58). The relative difference in the hazard rate for moderate–severe limb paresis persisted both within the first 100days (3.84, 2.12–6.97) and during later follow-up (4.54; 2.51–8.23). The hazard rate was higher throughout the follow-up among smokers (1.48; 1.11–1.97) as well as lower (1.78; 1.25–2.54) and upper white-collar workers (2.00; 1.24–3.23) compared to blue-collar workers. Conclusion: One-fourth of young adults started PSADs within 1year from IS. We identified several specific clinical characteristics associated with PSAD initiation, highlighting their utility in assessing the risk of post-stroke depression during follow-up. © 2021, The Author(s).

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Antidepressants

Brain infarction

Stroke

Young adult

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)