Despite ample research on depression after stroke, the debate continues regarding whether
symptoms such as sleep disturbances, loss of energy, changes in appetite and diminished
concentration should be considered to be consequences of stroke or general symptoms of
depression. By comparing symptoms in depressed and non-depressed stroke patients with
patients in general practice and patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic diseases, we aim
to further clarify similarities and distinctions of depression after stroke and depression in
other patient populations. Based on this, it is possible to determine if somatic symptoms
should be evaluated in stroke patients in diagnosing depression after stroke.
An observational multicenter study is conducted in three hospitals and seven general prac-
tices including 382 stroke patients admitted to hospital with a clinical diagnosis of intracere-
bral hemorrhage or ischemic infarction, 1160 patients in general practice (PREDICT-NL),
and 530 patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic diseases (SMART-Medea).
