Muhammad Affan, Quratulain Shaikh, Ayeesha Kamran Kamal.
Should I prevent my patient from developing depression after stroke? What is the best available option?.
J Pak Med Assoc Jan ;64(2):224-224.

Why is the study important? Post stroke depression is defined as depression occurring in patients with a recent stroke .It has been reported that around half to one third of patients who had a stroke suffer from this mood disorder. Depression especially in patients of stroke affects functional and daily activities and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The primary aim ofthis study was to assess the role and effectiveness of Escitalopram and problem solving therapy in the prevention of post stroke depression. Who were the participants? What was the intervention? This randomized clinical trial was conducted on non-depressed acute stroke patients, recruited from 3 centers in United States. The subjects were divided into three groups, two were double blinded and received Escitalopram or placebo and one was non-blinded and underwent therapy with problem solving techniques. The main outcome measure of the study was the assessment of major and minor depression in all three groups using DSM IV and Hamilton-17 Depression Rating Scale criteria of depression on follow up visits at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

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