Quality of life in patients after subarachnoid haemorrhage -: Follow-up after one year

55 patients were assessed after undergoing neurosurgery for SAH by means of a semistructured interview focused on the mental, social and emotional changes following treatment for cerebral artery aneurysm. The group consisted of patients of the neurosurgical ward of the Central Military Hospital in Prague for whom complete neurosurgical an psychological data were available and who were able to attend twice psychological examinations one year after neurosurgery. The average length of sick leave after neurosurgery was 5.3 months (SD = 3.6 - and had not yet ended at the time of the one-year-after examination. Only 2 persons (4%) needed more assistance at home as a result to their handicap. 47% of the group was active, either studying or working. 30% of the group received some form of disability pension. The total number of people on full disability pension increased substantially - before SAH they were 6; now 14. 22% of the group visited a doctor for some kind of psychological problems but none was hospitalized due to such problems. 44% evaluated their overall health status as unchanged compared to the time before the surgery, 40% as worse and 16% as better or even much better. The research shows the difficulty of life for survivors of SAH. A limitation of the study is the possible effect of cognitive deficits on subjective evaluation.