Suicidal ideation at 1-year post-stroke: A nationwide survey in China.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies on suicidal ideation have been conducted in post-stroke patients in China. This national study examined suicidal ideation at 1-year post-stroke and explored its demographic and clinical correlates.

METHODS: A total of 1418 patients with ischemic stroke were included in 56 hospitals nationwide. Demographic, clinical characteristics and neuro-imaging information were collected with standardized instruments, including assessment of stroke severity, depression, cognitive impairment, stroke recurrence, physical disability and insomnia. Suicidal ideation was measured using item 3 of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.

RESULTS: The frequency of suicidal ideation in this study was 6.6%. Multivariate analyses revealed that disability (OR=2.07, 95% CI=1.09-3.05), stroke recurrence (OR=4.13, 95% CI=1.74-9.77) and insomnia early (OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.03-3.39), middle (OR=2.66, 95% CI=1.46-4.85) and late (OR=2.35, 95% CI=1.31-4.19) at the 1-year follow-up and post-stroke depression (OR=2.16, 95% CI=1.23-3.82) were significantly associated with post-stroke suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSION: Post-stroke depression, disability, insomnia and stroke recurrence are possible risk factors of suicidal ideation that warrant attention in clinical practice.