Prevalence and determinants of cognitive complaints after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Abstract

Background: To investigate the prevalence of cognitive complaints after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the relationships between cognitive complaints and cognitive impairments, disability and emotional problems.

Methods: Cognitive complaints were assessed with the Checklist for Cognitive and Emotional Consequences following stroke (CLCE-24) in 111 persons who visited our outpatient clinic 3 months after SAH. Associations between cognitive complaints and cognitive functioning, demographic characteristics, disability and emotional problems were examined using Spearman correlations and linear regression analysis.

Results: In this study group, 105 patients (94.6%) reported at least one cognitive or emotional complaint that hampered everyday functioning. The most frequently reported cognitive complaints were mental slowness, short-term memory problems and attention deficits. All cognitive domains, disability, depressive symptoms and feelings of anxiety were significantly associated with the CLCE-24 cognition score. In the final regression model, memory functioning (beta value -0.21), disability (-0.28) and depressive symptoms (0.40) were significant determinants of cognitive complaints, together explaining 35.4% of the variance.

Conclusion: Cognitive complaints are common after SAH and associated with memory deficits, disability and depressive symptoms. Rehabilitation programs should focus on these symptoms and deficits.