Approximately 30–60% of the stroke survivors suffers from depression. This, together with the physical changes after stroke may lead to a decline in their quality of life (QOL). The aim of this paper was to analyse the incidence of post-stroke depression, associated risk factors and its influence on the QOL.

We carried out a prospective study on stroke patients during a period of 6months. We excluded patients with dysphasia and aphasia. For each patient, we collected socio-demographic characteristics as well as clinical and therapeutic data. We used the Hamilton Depression Scale to screen for anxiety and depression, the SF-36 scale to assess the quality of life and modified Rankin scale (mRS) to measure the degree of disability.

We included 155 men and 143 women with stroke, with mean age of 58.15years. Out of 298 analysed patients, depression was present in 147 (49.3%). Associated risk factors were hypertension, female gender and severity of stroke (P<0.05). The mean score of the SF-36 was 52.18. Impaired QOL was found in 221 (74.1%) and mRS>3 was found in 169 (57.1%) of the patients. Impaired mental component of QOL significantly correlated with the presence of depression (P<0.05) and anxiety (P<0.05). The severe degree of disability had a significant negative impact on all areas of QOL.

Important effect after stroke is occurrence of depression which affects the QOL and functional outcome. All stroke patients should be evaluated for depression through regular interviews with them and their families or caregivers. Adequate antidepressant treatment should be given, in order to improve the QOL and physical rehabilitation.