Quality of Life in Patients and Partners After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Abstract

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

Effects of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program on Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

“…At the Masachusettes University Medical Center, after adopting the MBSR program, more than 10,000 patients completed the 8 week program in a timespan of 30 years. It has been reported that overall, the pateitns particitated in the stress reduction program liked this meditation training, and they were able to prepare a changing point of view to a new life 10) . This program is designed to allow meditation to become routine by the end of 8 weeks of gradual training, and thus to decrease physical and psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorder, etc.…”

“…by resolving stress experienced during daily life and reducing tension. It has been reported that generally, after the completion of the 8 week program, various medical physical syndomes, and psychological syndromes, for example anxiety, depression, and hostility that were shown at the beginning of the program were markedly decreased 10) . After the application in the medical field, the MBSR program has been shown to improve psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression 3,4,6,14,17) , alleviate chronic pains 13) , and when applied to psoriasis, fibromyalgia, eating disorder, and other diverse diseases, it was shown to ameliorate the symptoms or alleviate psycological pain caused by and associated with their symptoms 3,4,6,14,15,22,28,30) .…”

“…Meditation mediates physiological changes by inducing the relaxation of the parasympathetic nerves that have a potent reaction to stress caused by the excitation of the sympathetic nervous system. In addition, during the practice of meditation, the brain wave referring to the most awakened cognitive state; the theta wave is shown abundantly, and it has been reported to increase not only cognifive function but also physical performance capacity noticeably 10) . At the Masachusettes University Medical Center, after adopting the MBSR program, more than 10,000 patients completed the 8 week program in a timespan of 30 years.…”

Post Stroke Psychosis Following Lesions in Basal Ganglion

“…The primary causes of the increased global burden of stroke are related to the increase in stroke risk factors, particularly hypertension, as well as the under detection and under treatment of these risk factors in many developing countries [7][8][9]. Stroke has substantial impact on the psychological and physical wellbeing of patients [10][11][12][13]. Development of clinical signs and symptoms depend on the site of involvement in the central nervous system.…”

Cerebral Aneurysms

“…Recovery to an independent state does not www.intechopen.com Cerebral Aneurysms 201 necessarily mean that the outcome is good. In a study of quality of life in patients after SAH, only 9 of 48 (19%; 95% CI 9%-33%) patients who were independent 4 months after the haemorrhage had no significant reduction in quality of life (29). All in all, only a small minority of all patients with SAH have a truly good outcome.…”