Article

OBJECTIVES: To compare cognitive and emotional outcomes between patients with
aneurysmal and perimesencephalic subarachnoid haemorrhage and norm scores.
DESIGN: First measurement in prospective cohort study. PATIENTS: Sixty-seven
patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage, were divided into perimesencephalic (n =
8) and aneurysmal (n = 59) subarachnoid haemorrhage groups. METHODS: Patients
completed several questionnaires within the first year after haemorrhage.
Depression was measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression
scale, fatigue with the Fatigue Severity Scale, and objective cognitive
functioning with the Trail Making Test. Glasgow Coma Scale scores were collected
at hospital admission. RESULTS: Perimesencephalic patients had lower depression
(p = 0.006) and lower fatigue scores (p = 0.029) and were faster on the Trail
Making Test A (p = 0.002) than aneurysmal patients. No differences between the
groups were found on Trail Making Test B (p = 0.112) and presence of fatigue (p =
0.105). Compared with norm scores, aneurysmal patients scored significantly worse
on all outcomes, whereas perimesencephalic patients scored worse on Trail Making
Test B (p < 0.008), fatigue (p = 0.073) and presence of fatigue (p = 0.058).
CONCLUSION: Perimesencephalic patients may experience problems in complex
cognitive functioning and fatigue. In this respect, they have similar sequelae as
aneurysmal patients, which may interfere with daily activities and social
participation. These findings are of clinical relevance, as perimesencephalic
patients often are discharged from hospital without long-term follow-up.

Langue : ANGLAIS