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New research from King's College London is shedding light on the significant mental health challenges faced by stroke survivors.

The research team found that stroke survivors are nearly three times more likely to experience depression compared to individuals without a history of stroke.

The study, conducted in the Lambeth and North Southwark boroughs of London, examined the incidence of depression among 6,600 stroke survivors.

Published in The Lancet Regional Health, Europe, the findings showed a striking prevalence of depression among stroke survivors, with nine out of ten cases occurring within five years of the stroke event.

Lead researcher Yanzhong Wang, a professor of Statistics in Population Health at King's College London, emphasized the prolonged impact of depression on stroke survivors, noting its adverse effects on mobility and mortality rates.

Wang pointed out the necessity of addressing mental health needs in stroke survivors, particularly as the U.K.'s aging population anticipates a surge in stroke cases.

"We know that depression can limit a stroke survivor's mobility including simple things as walking and holding objects and can also increase the risk of death," Wang explained, the Daily Mail reported.

The team learned through the study that 60% of stroke survivors would experience depression within two decades post-stroke, a stark contrast to the 22% prevalence among the general population. 

Lu Liu, a Ph.D. candidate at King's College London and corresponding author of the study, highlighted the enduring nature of depression among stroke survivors and its implications for their quality of life and longevity.

"Quality of life is important for stroke survivors as there is evidence depressed survivors have a reduced survival rate," Liu said.

"There are many reasons why this could be, including disruptions to the survivor's social life, reduced physical ability and inflammatory disorders observed in depressed patients."

Despite post-stroke depression being a well-documented phenomenon associated with decreased functional ability and heightened mortality, the study showed distinctions between mild and severe depression.

Severe depression tends to manifest earlier after stroke, persists for longer durations and recurs more rapidly compared to milder forms.

Liu stressed the importance of providing sustained clinical attention to stroke survivors experiencing persistent depression beyond the one-year mark, citing the elevated risks associated with prolonged depressive episodes.

With approximately 1.3 million stroke survivors in the U.K. and an annual incidence of around 100,000 cases, the study underscored the pressing need for enhanced mental health support tailored to the unique challenges faced by stroke survivors in their post-stroke journey.