Determinants of Depressive Disorder among Elderly Stroke Patients in the Northeast of Thailand

Abstract

Background: Stroke is the 2nd leading cause of death and 3rd rank of disability in the world including

Thailand as well. This research aimed to determine the trend and investigate factors associated with

depressive disorder among elderly stroke patients in the Northeast of Thailand.

Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 612 elderly stroke patients who were multistage

random sampling from four provinces of the Northeast of Thailand to response to a structured questionnaire.

Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify the factors influenced on depressive disorder of

elderly stroke patients in the Northeast of Thailand.

Result: Among the total of 612 elderly stroke patients, 77.61% (95%CI: 74.10-80.85) had depression

disorder. Factors that were associated with depressive disorders among elderly stroke patients were; impaired

daily activities (adj.OR=15.82; 95%CI: 8.36-29.91), low access to health service (adj.OR=6.01; 95%CI:

3.20-11.28), rehabilitation at home (adj.OR=4.56;95%CI:2.52-8.24), unemployment (adj.OR=2.02; 95%CI:

1.20-3.36) when controlling other covariates including age, education, income, chronic disease, duration of

illness and health insurance.

Conclusion: More than two-third of elderly stroke patients had depressive disorders. Limitation in

performing daily activities, poor access to health services, inadequate rehabilitation and unemployment

were associated with depression among elderly stroke patients in the Northeast of Thailand.