The Sunnybrook Stroke Study

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Abstract
Background and Purpose—To assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms, their clinical correlates, and the effects of depressive symptoms on stroke recovery, a relatively unselected, well-diagnosed cohort of consecutive stroke survivors was followed prospectively. Methods—Consecutive admissions to a regional stroke center who met World Health Organization and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke criteria for stroke were eligible. Subarachnoid hemorrhage and brain stem strokes were excluded. Patients underwent CT, single-photon emission CT, and standardized neurological and cognitive examinations at entry. At 3 months and 1 year after stroke, depressive symptoms were assessed with the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Functional outcome was measured with the Functional Independence Measure, and handicap was assessed by the Oxford Handicap Scale. Results—We assessed 436 patients at entry (mean±SD age, 74.9±11.6 years). There...