Quality of life and cognitive deficits after subarachnoid haemorrhage.
In a retrospective study of 58 patients after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) with a late result either good (GOS = I) or fair (GOS = II), patients were examined 1-5 years after the acute event for their quality of life including a neuropsychological examination. Cognitive deficits were found in visual short-term memory (46%) and in the three parameters of a reaction-time task ranging from 31 to 65%. Further deficits were found in verbal long-term memory (28%), concentration (5-13%) and language (11%). The quality of life was reduced in the SAH patients according to a self-rating scale in motivation (50%), interests (47%), mental capacity (47%), free-time activities (52%), social relationships (39%), concentration (70%), fine motor co-ordination (25%) and sleep (47%). A further 77% of the patients reported more frequent headaches since their SAH. Depression was found in 30% of the SAH patients. Life-satisfaction was significantly reduced in 37%, whereas 48% of the SAH patients suffered from increased emotional lability and in 41% motivation was significantly reduced. Negative job consequences like loss of job or demotion were reported by 16% of the patients investigated and an additional 15% had been retired.
Hütter
B O
BO
Department of Neurosurgery, Technical University of Aachen, Germany.
Gilsbach
J M
JM
Kreitschmann
I
I
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D001037:Aphasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*