A prospective study of psychosocial adaptation following subarachnoid haemorrhage

Abstract

In this prospective study a series of 89 patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), most of whom had a “good” neurological outcome, were interviewed 10 weeks and 12 monts following their SAH about changes in psychosocial functioning since their SAH, and the presence of symptoms, such as excessive fatigue, that can influence psychosocial functioning. Information was also gathered from close relatives whenever possible. Data about a range of “SAH factors”, including site of aneurysm, patient clinical grade, and vasospasm, were also gathered at the time of hospitalisation, and subjects were graded according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at each follow-up assessment. Statistical analyses to see whether these factors were predictive of later psychosocial impairment were carried out. A high proportion of subjects demonstrated some mild to moderate psychosocial impairments at 10 weeks and, although recovery occurred in some areas over the next 8 months, 86% of subjects still suffered from excessive fatigue and 55% from hypersensitivity to noise at the 12-month assessment. Of the subjects who were employed at the time of their SAH and had a good neurological outcome, 59% were either unemployed or were working reduced hours at the 12-month follow-up. Overall the GOS was not sensitive to psychosocial impairment, as 87% of the subjects had a GOS of “1” at both 10 weeks and 12 months. The small number of subjects who demonstrated vasospasm or had a poor neurological grade on discharge from hospital and at follow-up were more likely to report changes in temperament, leisure activities, and social behaviour at follow-up.