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. 2023 Apr;123(2):507-512.
doi: 10.1007/s13760-022-02085-x. Epub 2022 Sep 27.

Quality of life in patients and caregivers after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a Flemish population study

M Ramael #  1 , L Peeters #  2 , M Schoovaerts #  2 , C M J Loos  3   4 , T Menovsky  4   5 , L Yperzeele  3   4
Affiliations

Quality of life in patients and caregivers after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a Flemish population study

M Ramael et al. Acta Neurol Belg. 2023 Apr.

Abstract

Background and aims: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages (aSAH) have high mortality and morbidity. However, the impact on Quality of Life (QoL) of patients remains poorly documented, and data on primary caregiver burden is even scarcer.

Methods: This is a single center, cross-sectional study performed at the Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium. We included aSAH patients during follow-up at the outpatient clinic and assessed the QoL, by using the Stroke Specific Quality of Life scale (SSQoL). Caregiver burden was evaluated by the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI). The aSAH severity and functional outcome (at 90 days) were assessed, respectively, by mFisher score and modified Ranking Scale (mRS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27.

Results: In total, 22 aSAH patients were included, on average 15.5 (range 4-45) months after the aSAH. The SSQoL score was 3.7 ± 0.7, with a mean psychosocial domain score of 3.2 ± 0.8 and physical domain of 4.2 ± 0.8. Psychosocial factors, especially decreased energy levels and cognitive impairment, had a negative impact on the QoL (p = 0.02 en p = 0.05). No association was found between QoL and mFisher, nor between QoL and mRS. Fifteen primary caregivers completed the CSI. Only 3 (20%) of them reported a high care burden (CSI > 6), although changes in daily life and personal plans were reported, respectively, by 73% (n = 11) and 67% (n = 10) of caregivers. We only found a correlation between the mFisher score and CSI (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: Our results emphasize that there is an important psychosocial impact on the QoL of patients after aSAH, and their primary caregivers. More research is warranted.

Keywords: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH); Care burden; Caregiver; Quality of Life.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Consort diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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