Assessment of the quality of life in non-operated young patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Introduction. Currently, to determine the level of social and economic well-being of individual members of society or social groups, the concept of “quality of life” is increasingly being used which is proposed to be considered as the degree of comfort of an individual, both within himself and within his society. This allows you to identify factors that either improve life or worsen it. That is why the study of quality of life, as an integral characteristic of the physical, psychological, emotional and social state of a patient, based on his subjective perception, is stated on three components: multidimensionality, which allows to differentially determine the impact of disease and treatment on the patient’s condition; variability in time depending on the patient’s condition; participation of a patient in the assessment of his condition, which is the most valuable indicator of his general state.

Aim. Assessment of the quality of life in non-operated young patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Materials and methods. The study included 165 patients with SAH (76 men, 89 women; mean age 48.82 ± 5.29 years). All patients underwent a comprehensive examination, which included the collection of complaints and anamnestic data with the identification of vascular risk factors, computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography, lumbar puncture, transcranial dopplerography, ultrasound examination of the main vessels of the head and neck, heart and abdominal organs. The vegetative state was assessed according to the A.M. Vein’s Questionnaire of Autonomic Disorders, general and mental fatigue – according to the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), cognitive ability – using a test battery, psycho-emotional status – according to the Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, depressive disorders – according to the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Quality of life was assessed using the Nottingham Health Profile.

Results. The decrease in the quality of life as a result of SAH in young people depended on the level of stigmatization and was determined by the severity of psycho-vegetative disorders, symptomatic general and mental fatigue, state and trait anxiety, depressive disorders and cognitive impairments.

Conclusion. It is the integral assessment of quality of life that is the fundamental vector in the prospective observation of the examined patients, and, despite the absence of focal neurological symptoms and signs in most patients, there is a need to refer them to rehabilitation programs.

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