Albumin and depression in elderly stroke survivors: An observational cohort study. Issue 2 (15th December 2015) - Pascoe, Michaela C
Abstract: Background/objectives: Post-stroke depression affects approximately one third of stroke survivors. In non-stroke affected populations, depressive symptomatology is associated with hypoalbuminemia. This is also common among stroke survivors and associated with poor outcome and increased mortality. The role of stroke-associated hypoalbuminemia in post-stroke depression is not clear. We aimed to explore the relationship between serum albumin and post-stroke depression, as measured 20 months post-stroke. Subjects/methods: Observational cohort study of elderly Swedish patients drawn from the 'Gothenburg 70+ Stroke Study' ( n =149) and assessed at 20 months after stroke onset. Serum albumin was drawn from venous blood and analysed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Depressive symptomatology was assessed using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and functional impairment was assessed using the Barthel Index. Results: Analysis of covariance analysis showed that serum albumin levels were associated with depressive symptoms at 20 months after stroke. Multivariate analysis of covariance showed that disability scores at 3 days were associated with depressive symptoms at 20 months after stroke and after accounting for the age covariate. Stroke survivors were not clinically deficient in serum albumin. Conclusions: Low serum albumin appears to be associated with depressive symptoms in elderly individuals long term post-stroke. Highlights: Relationship between serum albumin and post-stroke depression is explored. Serum albumin levels were associated with depressive symptoms. Stroke survivors were not clinically deficient in serum albumin. Decreases in albumin appear to be associated depressive symptomatology.