Association between inflammatory cytokines and the risk of post-stroke depression, and the effect of depression on outcomes of patients with ischemic stroke in a 2-year prospective study

The association between inflammatory cytokines and the risk of post-stroke depression (PSD) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate this association and the effect of PSD on the outcomes of ischemic stroke patients. A total of 355 patients who had experienced ischemic stroke participated in inflammatory cytokine detection by ELISA, in addition to depression, quality of life (QOL) and body performance testing. Cox regression was used to evaluate the associations between PSD risk, inflammatory cytokines and the outcomes of patients. Measurement data was evaluated using Student's t test, and counted data was measured by (2) test. The incidence of PSD during the 2-year follow-up was 23.1%. The risk of PSD elevated with increased interleukin (IL)-6 expression levels [hazard ratio (HR)=3.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.37-7.36] following the adjustment of confounders. However, no significant associations were identified between PSD and other inflammatory cytokines. QOL and body performance in the depressed group were significantly worse compared with those in the non-depressed group. The risk of stroke recurrence in patients with depression increased two-fold compared with patients without depression (HR=2.020; 95% CI, 1.123-3.635; P-trend=0.019). No significant associations between PSD and the risk of mortality (HR=1.497; 95% CI, 0.547-4.098) were observed. In conclusion, depression is prevalent in patients following ischemic stroke. IL-6 is positively associated with the risk of PSD, and may predict its development in patients following ischemic stroke. PSD correlates with outcomes of patients, and the effective management of PSD may improve the prognosis of patients.