Predicting fatigue 1 year after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Fatigue significantly impacts quality of life in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) survivors.
• The specific factors contributing to post-SAH fatigue remain unclear.
• Understanding these determinants is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of fatigue one year after SAH.
• To investigate the relationship between fatigue and physical/cognitive impairments, passive coping, and emotional problems.
• To identify key predictors of fatigue in the post-SAH population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 108 patients living independently one year after SAH.
• Fatigue assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) one year post-SAH.
• Physical/cognitive impairments, passive coping, anxiety, and depression measured three months post-SAH.

Main Results:

• Fatigue (FSS ≥ 4) was present in 71% of patients one year after SAH.
• Higher FSS scores correlated with the presence and severity of physical and cognitive impairments.
• Passive coping, anxiety, and depression were associated with increased fatigue, particularly in patients without physical or cognitive impairments.

Conclusions:

• Fatigue is a prevalent issue following SAH, linked to physical and cognitive deficits.
• In patients without physical or cognitive impairments, passive coping and emotional distress are significant predictors of fatigue.
• Targeting psychological and coping strategies may help mitigate fatigue in specific SAH survivor subgroups.