Poststroke depression (PSD) is a common condition that has a considerable impact on the lives of affected stroke survivors. A 2010 review estimated the prevalence of PSD at =20% each for major and minor depression. Reported rates have varied considerably between studies, however, probably owing to differences in inclusion criteria, screening instruments, and thresholds established for a depression diagnosis. Negative feelings below the threshold for a PSD diagnosis may be highly prevalent, suggesting that we could be considerably underestimating the impact of the full range of depressive symptoms.2 The most consistent and convincing predictive factors for PSD are related to stroke severity, or to a personal history of prestroke depression; many other factors have been inconsistently associated with depression in innumerable smaller studies.
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