Background : Accompanied psychiatric conditions in stroke patients may have negative impact on their mental
health and rehabilitation. Research, treatment and rehabilitation on stoke, however, have focused on physical aspects,
neglecting its psychiatric aspects. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of depressive and anxiety
symptoms in the acute stage of stroke, and to examine the relationship between these symptoms and the degree of
physical disabilities, social support system, and the quality of life of the patients.
Methods : Of the 80 hospitalized stroke patients at the Hallym Stroke Center between July of 1999 and February of 2000, 51 patients who were
communicable were included in this study. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to evaluate depression, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) for anxiety. With Social Support Scale and World Health Org anization ’s Quality of Life Scale, social support system and quality of life of the stroke patients were evaluated. Physical disabilities were rated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) and Barthel’s Index.
Results : Thirty three percent and 67% of the stroke patients in HAM-D and BDI analysis showed to have depressive symptoms, and 94% and 49 % of the patients in HAM-A and BAI analysis exhibited anxiety symptoms in the acute stage of stroke. Social Support Scale was negatively correlated with depressive and anxiety symptoms. On the contrary, physical disabilities did not have any correlation with them. In the same
manner, quality of life was correlated with depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and social support system while physical disabilities were not.
Conclusions : Majority of stroke patients in their acute stage had depressive and anxiety symptoms, and these symptoms and quality of life were not correlated with the degree of physical disabilities. (Korean Journal of Stroke 2000;2(1): 40~47)