title: The prediction of long-term outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage as measured by the Short Form-36 Health Survey.
abstract: The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score is widely used to assess outcome after a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Patients who have recovered fully or with a mild disability (GOS scores 4 and 5) frequently complain about difficulties in conducting their daily activities. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey is a questionnaire that assesses outcomes in multiple categories. This study was conducted to compare the quality of outcome assessment between the SF-36 Health Survey and GOS scores. A total of 128 patients with SAH (all data expressed as mean+/-standard deviation) aged 53.1+/-12.1 years, and a mean Hunt and Hess grade on admission of 2+/-1, were retrospectively included in the study. Medical charts were reviewed to assess previous medical history, location of the aneurysm and the presence of vasospasm. The SF-36 and GOS scores were collected in structured interviews approximately 5 years (+/-2 years) after the SAH. The SF-36 data were compared to a historical healthy control cohort of 2,474 individuals. The results showed that 52% of patients experienced a favourable outcome after SAH (GOS scores 4 and 5). Vasospasm was recorded in 25% of patients. However, the average SF-36 results were lower in all tested categories for patients after SAH than the healthy normal controls. None of the SF-36 categories except physical function correlated significantly with the GOS score. Aneurysm location did not have an impact on SF-36 data. Patients after a SAH assessed as GOS score 5 are significantly impaired in social functioning and general health. We conclude that patients continue to suffer neuropsychological deficits years after a SAH. The GOS score is a rough outcome measure that primarily focuses on physical functioning. SF-36 is a useful tool to include in the neuropsychological outcome assessment of patients with SAH.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Giessen, Klinikstrasse 29, Giessen 35385, Germany.
authors: Wolfram
authors: W
authors: Scharbrodt
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Stein
authors: Vanessa
authors: V
authors: Schreiber
authors: Dieter-Karsten
authors: DK
authors: Böker
authors: Matthias F
authors: MF
authors: Oertel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D023261:Glasgow Outcome Scale; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery