[Screening post-stroke depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale]

Abstract

Introduction: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for its simplicity is potentially useful for screening depressive and anxiety disorders in post-stroke patients. To our best knowledge HADS hasn't been assessed in the Polish population of post-stroke survivors.

Aim: Assessment of clinical value of HADS in screening depressive and anxiety disorders in post-stroke patients.

Method: Patients included in this study were admitted do the Department of Neurology of the Medical University of Gdańsk between 3rd April and 5th December, after first incident of ischaemic stroke. 116 subjects were included, depression was diagnosed in 29 and anxiety disorder in 16 of patients (13 with comorbid depressive episode). The test was done by 75 patients, 193 visits were assessed, from the following time after stroke: 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 12 month.

Result: Using the cut-off value > or = 7 points, the results were as following: depression subscale--sensitivity: 90.0%, specifity 92.2%, anxiety subscale: sensitivity: 86.5%, specifity 94.9%, which was the most optimal cut-off point. Cronbach a: for the depression subscale was 0.892, for the anxiety subscale was 0.815; each position of the scale correlated with the general result of both scales' result in a degree which increased the Cronbach a value.

Conclusion: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale is useful for screening depression and anxiety in post-stroke patients. It is recommended to lower the cut-off value to 7 points.