Age-stratified analysis of depression onset patterns and treatment response differences following cerebral infarction

Table 4 Changes in depression assessment scale scores over time among different age groups, mean ± SD

Time point	Young group (n = 68)	Middle-aged group (n = 124)	Elderly group (n = 108)	F value	P value
HAMD-17 total score
At discharge	9.2 ± 4.5	9.8 ± 5.1	10.4 ± 5.6	1.247	0.289
1-month post-discharge	12.8 ± 5.2	13.5 ± 6.1	12.9 ± 5.8	1.156	0.316
3-month post-discharge	10.4 ± 4.8	14.2 ± 6.3	16.1 ± 7.2	18.542	< 0.001
6-month post-discharge	10.1 ± 4.3	12.5 ± 5.9	15.8 ± 7.1	21.643	< 0.001
PHQ-9 total score
At discharge	6.1 ± 3.4	6.5 ± 3.8	6.9 ± 4.1	0.987	0.374
1-month post-discharge	8.5 ± 4.1	9.0 ± 4.8	8.6 ± 4.5	0.542	0.582
3-month post-discharge	6.9 ± 3.7	9.5 ± 5.2	10.8 ± 5.9	12.847	< 0.001
6-month post-discharge	6.8 ± 3.6	8.4 ± 4.7	10.6 ± 5.8	14.256	< 0.001

Repeated measures analysis of variance results: (1) Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 items total score: Time effect F = 28.452, P < 0.001; between-group effect F = 24.183, P < 0.001; time × group interaction effect F = 12.847, P < 0.001; and (2) Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items total score: Time effect F = 22.156, P < 0.001; between-group effect F = 19.247, P < 0.001; time × group interaction effect F = 9.156, P < 0.001. HAMD-17: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 items; PHQ-9: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items.