From the University Department of Neurology, Utrecht, the
Netherlands.
Correspondence to Jeannette W. Hop, MD, University Department of Neurology, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, Netherlands. E-mail j.w.hop{at}neuro.azu.nl
Background and Purpose—Outcome after
subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is often graded as
"poor," "fair," or "good." Such categories are usually
based on physicians' assessments of physical abilities of patients
rather than on how patients themselves perceive their physical,
psychological, and social well-being. We assessed functional outcome
and quality of life (QoL) in patients with SAH and their
partners.
Methods—In a consecutive series of 64 patients and 51 partners
studied 4 months after the SAH, we assessed functional outcome by means
of the Rankin Scale, and QoL by means of the SF-36, the Sickness Impact
Profile (SIP), and a visual analogue scale. Additionally, we asked two
"simple questions" about dependency and recovery. All
questionnaires were completed in an interview setting. The scores on
the QoL instruments from patients and partners were stratified
according to the Rankin grades of the patients and were compared with
data from a Dutch reference population.
Results—Only patients who had no symptoms at all (Rankin grade 0)
had no reduction in QoL compared with the reference population; some of
these patients even indicated an improvement in QoL from before the SAH
according to the visual analogue scale. Patients who had symptoms but
were independent (Rankin grades 1 to 3) and therefore usually
designated as having "good outcome" often had reductions in QoL, on
both the physical and psychosocial subscores of the SIP and SF-36. The
QoL of partners was considerably reduced in several psychosocial
domains.
Conclusions—SAH has a considerable impact on the QoL of patients
and their partners. Only patients without residual symptoms (Rankin
grade 0) have a good outcome in terms of physical performance
and QoL.
© 1998 American Heart Association, Inc.
Original Contributions
Quality of Life in Patients and Partners After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Key Words: outcome • quality of life • subarachnoid hemorrhage
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