Prevalence and risk factors associated with anxiety and depression in patients with acute ischemic stroke who receive mechanical thrombectomy

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2026 May;35(5):108609. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2026.108609. Epub 2026 Mar 12.

Abstract

Objective: Studies on poststroke anxiety and depression in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who received mechanical thrombectomy remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with poststroke anxiety and depression.

Methods: A total of 193 patients with AIS who received mechanical thrombectomy were consecutively included. Anxiety and depression at discharge, 1 month after discharge (M1), and 3 months after discharge (M3) were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)/Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: The HADS-Anxiety (P = 0.005), HADS-depression (P = 0.019), BAI (P < 0.001), and BDI (P = 0.047) scores varied from discharge to M3. The prevalence of anxiety and depression defined by these scales increased from discharge to M1 and then decreased until M3, but statistical significance was observed only in HADS-defined depression (P = 0.009). The prevalences of HADS- and BAI-defined anxiety within 3 months were 22.8 % and 23.3 %, respectively, and those of HADS- and BDI-defined depression within 3 months were 15.5 % and 14.0 %, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that the use of sertraline hydrochloride was independently associated with HADS- and BAI/BDI-defined anxiety and depression (all P < 0.001). However, none of the demographics, disease features, or biochemical indexes showed an independent association with HADS- or BAI/BDI-defined anxiety and depression.

Conclusion: Poststroke anxiety and depression are prevalent issues in patients with AIS who receive mechanical thrombectomy. Meanwhile, younger age, lower BMI, and hypertension were independently associated with poststroke anxiety.

Keywords: Acute ischemic stroke; Anxiety; Depression; Mechanical thrombectomy; Risk factor.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anxiety* / diagnosis
  • Anxiety* / epidemiology
  • Anxiety* / psychology
  • Depression* / diagnosis
  • Depression* / epidemiology
  • Depression* / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Stroke* / diagnosis
  • Ischemic Stroke* / epidemiology
  • Ischemic Stroke* / psychology
  • Ischemic Stroke* / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Stroke* / diagnosis
  • Stroke* / epidemiology
  • Stroke* / psychology
  • Stroke* / therapy
  • Thrombectomy* / adverse effects
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents