gms | German Medical Science

55. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e. V. (DGNC)
1. Joint Meeting mit der Ungarischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC) e. V.

25. bis 28.04.2004, Köln

Long-term quality of life of elderly patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Lebensqualität bei älteren Patienten nach Subarachnoidalblutung: Langzeitergebnisse

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author Astrid Weyerbrock - Neurochirurgische Universitätsklinik, Abteilung Allgemeine Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg
  • B. Baumer - Neurochirurgische Universitätsklinik, Abteilung Allgemeine Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg
  • A. Berlis - Sektion Neuroradiologie, Neurozentrum, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg
  • V. van Velthoven - Neurochirurgische Universitätsklinik, Abteilung Allgemeine Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Ungarische Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. 55. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e.V. (DGNC), 1. Joint Meeting mit der Ungarischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Köln, 25.-28.04.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. DocMO.07.08

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dgnc2004/04dgnc0078.shtml

Published: April 23, 2004

© 2004 Weyerbrock et al.
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Outline

Text

Objective

In patients older than 70 years, the decision to treat ruptured intracranial aneurysms remains difficult as clinical outcome appears to be significantly age-dependent.

Methods

Long-term quality of life (QoL) of 462 patients treated for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage was assessed by Modified Rankin Scale(MRS) and the SF-36 questionnaire and analyzed with regard to age ±70 years.

Results

Among 462 SAH patients, 54 patients were older than 70(8.5%). Long-term MRS scores were obtained in 68%, 66% of SF-36 questionnaires were returned. Mean follow-up time was 58±37 months. At follow-up time, the percentage of patients in a good MRS grade(1-3) was significantly lower in the older population(27.5% vs. 64%, p>0.005). 65% patients>70 years were dead at follow-up compared to 22% of the younger patients(p<0.0001). Cause of death could be obtained in 72%, it was related to the SAH or its consequences in 73% of the younger and 56% of the older patients. QoL as determined by the SF-36 was significantly worse in patients>70 years who achieved 33±45 compared to 79±39 points in the younger age group(p<0.0001). Long-term QoL significantly correlated with the admission H&H score in all SAH patients(p<0.0001). In the older group, all patients with H&HII-V had MRS scores of 4 or worse (handicapped or dead).

Conclusions

Quality of life assessment of patients with SAH showed a significantly worse long-term outcome in elderly patients. As clinical outcome was strongly correlated with admission H&H, only older patients in good clinical status should be treated after careful consideration of all relevant clinical parameters.