# Correlation between age-friendly communities and post-stroke depression

## TL;DR

This study shows that age-friendly communities are linked to lower rates of post-stroke depression in elderly patients.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific age-friendly community domains that act as protective factors against post-stroke depression.

## Key findings

- AFC scores were negatively correlated with post-stroke depression severity (r = -0.63, P < 0.01).
- Three AFC domains—housing, outdoor spaces, and civic participation—reduced the risk of PSD.
- An integrated model combining AFC domains and social support achieved an AUC of 0.86 in predicting PSD.

## Abstract

While adverse environmental factors are linked to depressive symptoms, the relationship between age-friendly communities (AFC) and post-stroke depression (PSD) remains unclear.

This prospective cohort study enrolled elderly patients with stroke discharged from the neurology department between October 2022 and January 2024. At six months post-discharge, participants were assessed through structured telephone interviews using the AFC framework and the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Correlation and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations between AFC domains and PSD.

Among 335 participants (mean age = 73.12 ± 6.8 years; 53.1 % male), 144 were diagnosed with PSD, including mild (n = 52), moderate (n = 30), severe (n = 27), and extreme (n = 35) cases. AFC scores showed a negative correlation with PSD severity (r = −0.63, P < 0.01). Three AFC domains served as protective factors against PSD: housing (OR = 0.76), outdoor spaces and buildings (OR = 0.78), and civic participation and employment (OR = 0.70). An integrated model that combined these AFC domains with post-stroke functional status and social support reached an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86.

Enhancements in housing, outdoor areas, and civic engagement could reduce the PSD burden and promote the integration of AFC principles into stroke recovery strategies.

•We examined the link between post-stroke depression and age-friendly communities.•This study discussed global aging issues and offered relevant recommendations.•This study aims to prevent and lessen the severity of post-stroke depression.•This study demonstrated depression severity links to age-friendly communities.

We examined the link between post-stroke depression and age-friendly communities.

This study discussed global aging issues and offered relevant recommendations.

This study aims to prevent and lessen the severity of post-stroke depression.

This study demonstrated depression severity links to age-friendly communities.