Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 54, 101324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101324 Dr. Lu Liu et al.
Points
- Post-stroke depression affected 36% of 2,581 stroke survivors within three months and was linked to a 30% higher risk of death and nearly triple the odds of long-term physical disability.
- Continued depression at one and five years post-stroke increased mortality risk by 33% and 37%, respectively, while also contributing to worse daily functioning and lower quality of life.
- Stroke survivors who recovered from depression within a year experienced significantly better outcomes, including lower rates of death, stroke recurrence, disability, and daily living impairments.
- The study highlights that recovery from post-stroke depression correlates with improved mental health, physical independence, and overall survival across long-term follow-up periods.
- These findings emphasize the need for integrating mental health care into stroke rehabilitation to reduce adverse outcomes and enhance long-term recovery for affected individuals.
Summary
A recent study examined the long-term effects of post-stroke depression (PSD) on stroke survivors, highlighting its significant impact on physical and mental health outcomes. The research, which tracked 2,581 stroke survivors from the South London Stroke Register over 10 years, found that 36% of participants exhibited depression three months after their stroke. PSD was associated with a 30% increased risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.18, 95% CI [1.03–1.36]) and nearly three times the odds of developing long-term physical disability. Additionally, individuals with PSD showed a decline in their quality of life, with poorer physical and mental health outcomes.
The study found that continued depression at 1 and 5 years post-stroke further exacerbated these risks, with mortality increasing by 33% at 1 year (aHR 1.33, 95% CI [1.15–1.53]) and by 37% at 5 years (aHR 1.37, 95% CI [1.10–1.71]). Furthermore, patients with PSD experienced more significant impairments in daily activities and a lower quality of life. However, for those who recovered from depression within the first year, the long-term outcomes were notably improved. These individuals had similar mortality rates to those who did not experience depression, with significantly lower risks of stroke recurrence, physical disability, and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) impairment.
The findings underscore the critical importance of addressing PSD in stroke recovery. Recovery from depression within a year was linked to better functional outcomes, improved quality of life, and reduced risks of adverse health outcomes. The study suggests that ongoing mental health support should be integrated into stroke rehabilitation to improve both the physical and psychological well-being of stroke survivors, particularly those experiencing long-term effects of depression.
Link to the article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(25)00116-4/fulltext
References Liu, L., Marshall, I. J., Li, X., Bhalla, A., Liu, L., Pei, R., Wolfe, C. D. A., O’Connell, M. D. L., & Wang, Y. (2025). Long-term outcomes of depression up to 10-years after stroke in the South London Stroke Register: A population-based study. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 54, 101324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101324
