Mortality among patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage: a retrospective study

Background & Objective: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SH) accounts for 50% of hemorrhagic strokes. Few individuals present with 'thunderclap headaches', resulting in delayed diagnoses of aneurysmal SH (aSH). We conducted this retrospective study to explore factors for predicting the risk, severity and mortality patterns of aSH and traumatic SH (tSH).Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted on 68 SH patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of a Middle East tertiary care hospital. Medical history, demographics, risk factors, outcome and the type of SH were evaluated.Results: The mean age of the patients was 47.84 & PLUSMN; 18.24 y, and 38 (55.8%) were males, showing most SH cases occur in middle-age and in males. Majority 59 (86.7%) of the patients presented with risk factors such as trauma (35%), hypertension (37%), anti-thrombotic use (15.25%), alcoholism (3%) and smoking (1.5%). The regression model showed age and risk factors significantly influence the type and severity of SH (P < 0.05). The mortality was significantly higher in those suffering from traumatic SH compared to non-traumatic SH (84.6% versus 10.5%, P < 0.0061).Conclusion: Age, male gender and risk factors predispose the type and severity of SH. Mortality rates are higher among traumatic SH in comparison to non-traumatic SH patients.