Affiliations: [a] Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience and Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht and Rehabilitation Centre De Hoogstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands | [b] Merem Rehabilitation Centre De Trappenberg, Flevohospital, Almere, The Netherlands | [c] Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands | [d] Psychological Laboratory, Heimholtz Institute, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Anne Visser-Meily, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience and Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht and Rehabilitation Centre De Hoogstraat, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 088 75 58831; Fax: +31 088 75 55450; E-mail: J.M.A.Visser-Meily@umcutrecht.nl
Abstract: Objective:To determine the predictive value of physical and psychological factors assessed three months after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) one year after the SAH. Design:Prospective cohort study. Subjects:Patients with SAH (n = 113) who visited our SAH-outpatient clinic three months after SAH and who were living independently in the community one year after SAH. Methods:HRQoL was evaluated using the Stroke Specific Quality of Life scale (SS-QoL). We used Spearman correlations, Somers’d, and linear regression analyses. Independent variables were demographic and SAH characteristics, cognitive and emotional complaints, depressive symptoms, anxiety, cognitive functioning, and passive coping style. Results:In the regression analysis, female gender (beta value −0.17), cognitive complaints (−0.31 ), cognitive functioning (0.40) and passive coping style (−0.23) were independent predictors, and together explained 45.9% of the variance of the SS-QoL total score. Conclusion:Female gender, cognitive complaints, cognitive functioning and passive coping style assessed at 3 months after SAH are important predictors of HRQoL 1 year after SAH. Early interventions to improve cognitive and emotional functioning should be evaluated for their ability to improve long-term HRQoL after SAH.
Keywords: Prediction, long-term, quality of life, subarachnoid hemorrhage, SAH
