[The Post Stroke Depression Scale (PSDRS) as a tool for evaluation of depressed mood at an early stage after cerebral stroke].

INTRODUCTION

Cerebral stroke can lead both to the limitation of motor skills and cognitive dysfunctions as well as mood disorders. One of the most frequent results of cerebral stroke is post-stroke depression (PSD). Numerous researchers have emphasized the significance of an early detection of this disorder. There is discussion concerning both its background and the methods that might be used for its evaluation. One of the scales applied for this purpose is Post Stroke Depression Rating Scale (PSDRS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The aim of this study was to determine the profile of depressive symptoms in patients at an early stage after stroke. The participants of the study were 43 persons who underwent cerebral stroke. The study was carried out in the course of the first week after the vascular incident. The patients were examined with the application of the PSDRS elaborated in order to determine the specific nature of post-stroke depression.

RESULTS

The results of the PSDRS applied indicate the occurrence of three factors present in the group under study. The first factor includes the symptoms related to a depressive mood, sense of guilt, apathy and suicidal thoughts; the second one is related to the impairment of emotional control, anhedonia, variation over time and a catastrophic reaction; the third factor concerns vegetative disorders and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of the PSDRS for the evaluation of depressed mood in persons in the acute phase after cerebral stroke enables the distinction of the factors covering various aspects related to post-stroke depression. This scale is a valuable tool for the evaluation of early symptoms of depression in patients in the first week after cerebral stroke.