Double-blind comparison of sertraline and placebo in stroke patients with minor depression and less severe major depression.

BACKGROUND: Poststroke depression is a frequent condition and important to treat. The aim of this trial was to study the efficacy and tolerability of sertraline. METHOD: In 4 Swedish stroke centers, 123 patients (aged 70.7 +/- 9.9 years) were enrolled during the period September 1998 to January 2001 in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 26-week trial, at a mean of 128 +/- 97 days (range, 3-375 days) after stroke, if they fulfilled DSM-IV criteria of major depressive episode (N = 76) or minor depressive disorder (N = 47). The primary efficacy variable was a change in depression assessed by the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. The Emotional Distress Scale (EDS) was administered and the occurrence of emotionalism and quality of life (QoL) were assessed, as well as neurologic recovery. Efficacy analyses were intention-to-treat, short-term (week 6) and long-term (week 26). RESULTS: Of the 123 patients, 62 were treated with sertraline (50-100 mg/day) and 61 with placebo. Both groups improved substantially, with no differences between the treatments, either for major depressive episode or minor depressive disorder, or for short- or long-term antidepressant effect and neurologic outcome. EDS revealed a better outcome with sertraline at week 6 (p < .05). At week 26, the improvement in QoL was better in sertraline patients (p < .05) and there was a trend for emotionalism (p = .07). No serious side effects were seen. CONCLUSION: Poststroke depression as measured by a conventional depression rating scale improved over time irrespective of treatment. Positive effects specific to sertraline were identified in emotional distress, emotionalism, and QoL. The study indicates that poststroke emotional reactions comprise depression and other domains susceptible to pharmacologic therapy.

Lacunar infarcts: functional and cognitive outcomes at five years in relation to MRI findings.

BACKGROUND: There are few long-term follow-up studies of patients with lacunar infarcts (LIs). The purpose of this 5-year follow-up study was to assess functional and cognitive outcome in relation to MRI findings. METHODS: 81 patients with a first-ever LI were followed for 5 years with respect to mortality, stroke recurrence, functional and cognitive outcome. T(2)-weighted MRI was performed at baseline and at 5 years. The presence of basal ganglia lesions and white matter lesions was scored according to the European Task Force rating scale. Functional outcome was assessed with the Oxford Handicap Scale (OHP). Cognition was assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). RESULTS: The 5-year mortality was 19%. Predictors for death were age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.11), ischemic heart disease (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.1) and impairment score (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.32). 30% of the patients had a recurrent stroke. Predictors for recurrent stroke were diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-7.4) and amount of white matter lesions (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.7). 36% of the patients were functionally dependent (defined as OHP >2). Predictors for functional dependency were impairment score (OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.12-2.59), MMSE (OR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.33-0.91) and stroke recurrence (OR = 84, 95% CI 9.4-745). 16% of the patients had cognitive impairment (defined as MMSE <24). Stroke recurrence and white matter score, but not basal ganglia score, were correlated to cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Many LI patients have a good functional outcome at 5 years. For older patients, for patients with an initial severe stroke, and with additional vascular risk factors, however, the prognosis is more severe, with an increased risk for mortality, stroke recurrence, and physical and cognitive decline.