Pre-Stroke Depression in Ghana and Nigeria: Prevalence, Predictors and Association With Poststroke Depression

Authors

• Akin Ojagbemi, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Joshua Akinyemi, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Kolawole Wahab, University of Ilorin
• Lukman Owolabi, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
• Oyedunni Arulogun, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Josephine Akpalu, University of Ghana
• Albert Akpalu, University of Ghana
• Godwin Ogbole, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Cynthia Akinsanya, Federal Medical Centre Nigeria
• Adeniyi Wasiu, Obafemi Awolowo University
• Moyinoluwa Tito-Ilori, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Fakunle Adekunle, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Ruth Lyrea, University of Ghana
• Onoja Akpa, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Rufus Akinyemi, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Fred Sarfo, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology
• Mayowa Owolabi, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Bruce Ovbiagele, University of California, San Francisco

Abstract

Objectives: Depression is a risk factor for stroke. There is a knowledge gap on the predictors of prestroke depression in stroke survivors living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We estimated prevalence and predictors of prestroke depression, as well as its association with poststroke depression (PSD) in the largest study of stroke in Africa. Methods: We evaluated information collected as part of the Stroke Investigative Research and Education Network (SIREN) study, a multicentre, case-control study conducted at 15 sites in Ghana and Nigeria. Prestroke depression status was ascertained in stroke survivors using a validated self-report tool, while PSD was assessed using a stroke specific screening tool for depression (“HRQOLISP-E”). Independent associations were investigated using complementary log-log regression and binary logit models. Results: Among 1,977 participants, prestroke depression was found in 141 (7.1%). In multivariate analyses, prestroke depression was significantly associated with tachycardia (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.37-3.56) and low consumption of green leafy vegetables (OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.12-3.24). Forty-one (29.1%) of the prestroke depression sub-sample developed PSD. However, prestroke depression was not significantly associated with PSD. Conclusion: The findings should energize before-the-stroke identification and prioritization of limited treatment resources in LMICs to persons with depression who have multiple, additional, risks of stroke.

Publication Title

Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology

Recommended Citation

Ojagbemi, A., Akinyemi, J., Wahab, K., Owolabi, L., Arulogun, O., Akpalu, J., Akpalu, A., Ogbole, G., Akinsanya, C., Wasiu, A., Tito-Ilori, M., Adekunle, F., Lyrea, R., Akpa, O., Akinyemi, R., Sarfo, F., Owolabi, M., & Ovbiagele, B. (2022). Pre-Stroke Depression in Ghana and Nigeria: Prevalence, Predictors and Association With Poststroke Depression. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 35 (1), 121-127. https://doi.org/10.1177/0891988720968274