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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2007

Open Access 01-12-2007 | Research article

Self-rated health, symptoms of depression and general symptoms at 3 and 12 months after a first-ever stroke: a municipality-based study in Sweden

Authors: Ylva Skånér, Gunnar H Nilsson, Kristina Sundquist, Ejda Hassler, Ingvar Krakau

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2007

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Abstract

Background

Self-rated health is an important indicator of quality of life as well as a good predictor of future health. The purpose of the study was to follow up the self-rated health and the prevalence of symptoms of depression and general symptoms in a population of first-ever stroke patients 3 and 12 months after stroke.

Methods

All patients surviving their first-ever stroke and residing in Nacka municipality in Stockholm County Council were included using a multiple overlapping search strategy during an 18-month period (n = 187). Our study group comprised the 145 patients who survived the first 3 months after stroke. Three and 12 months after their stroke, the patients were assessed regarding self-rated health and general symptoms using parts of the Göteborg Quality of Life Instrument (GQLI), and regarding symptoms of depression using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS-S).

Results

Self-rated health was rated as very good or rather good by 62% at 3 months after stroke and by 78% at 12 months after stroke. More than half of the patients suffered from symptoms of depression, with no significant improvement at 12 months. The most common general symptoms at 3 months after stroke were fatigue, sadness, pain in the legs, dizziness and irritability. Fatigue and sadness were still common at 12 months. Twelve months after stroke the prevalences of crying easily, irritability, impaired concentration, nausea and loss of weight were significantly lower.

Conclusion

The majority of patients rated their health as rather good or very good at 3 and 12 months after stroke. However, the majority suffered from fatigue and from symptoms of depression after both 3 and 12 months. In continued care of stroke survivors, it is important to consider the fact that many patients who rate their health as good may nevertheless have symptoms of depression, and some of them may benefit from anti-depressive treatment.
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Metadata
Title
Self-rated health, symptoms of depression and general symptoms at 3 and 12 months after a first-ever stroke: a municipality-based study in Sweden
Authors
Ylva Skånér
Gunnar H Nilsson
Kristina Sundquist
Ejda Hassler
Ingvar Krakau
Publication date
01-12-2007
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2007
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-8-61

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