Trends in Prevalence of Serious Psychological Distress and Depression Among Adults with Stroke in the United States.

OBJECTIVES

To examine national trends in prevalence of serious psychological distress and depression among adults with stroke in the United States (US) from 2004 to 2017, and variations across sociodemographic subgroups.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the household components of the 2004-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative survey in the US. History of stroke or transient ischemic attack was based on self-report. Psychological distress was measured by the Kessler-6 scale, and depressive symptoms were measured by the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to examine the trends in prevalence of serious psychological distress and depression overall and by age, sex, and race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Among 10889 participants with stroke or transient ischemic attack, 60.0% were aged ≥ 65, 54.4% were female, and 72.2% were non-Hispanic white. The prevalence of serious psychological distress decreased from 14.9% in 2004-2005 to 11.3% in 2016-2017, corresponding to 7% lower odds every 2 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.89-0.97); and the prevalence of depression decreased from 23.1% in 2004-2005 to 18.3% in 2016-2017, corresponding to 5% lower odds every 2 years (aOR=0.95, 95% CI=0.92-0.98), after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, functional limitations, and antidepressant use. The trends varied significantly by age, but not sex and race/ethnicity. The overall decline was mainly driven by older adults above age 64.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of serious psychological distress and depression among US adults with stroke decreased from 2004 to 2017, but the burden of mental health problems remained high.