Personality changes after subarachnoid hemorrhage: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuropsychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Personality changes (PC) are a frequent and disabling consequence of neurological disorders.
• Non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common cause of acquired brain injury leading to significant morbidity.
• Understanding PC after SAH is crucial for patient management and rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and appraise studies on the frequency, severity, and time course of PC following SAH.
• To identify factors associated with PC development after SAH.
• To evaluate the impact of PC on patients' lives post-SAH.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search of major biomedical databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Ovid Nursing) was conducted.
• Studies published in English, involving patients over 18 years old with SAH and diagnosed PC, were included.
• A minimum of 10 patients per study was required for inclusion.

Main Results:

• Eight studies comprising 1227 patients met the inclusion criteria.
• The pooled frequency of PC after SAH was 44%, ranging from 32% to 59%.
• Neurological signs, disability, and surgical treatment were associated with an increased risk of PC, which also reduced employment opportunities.

Conclusions:

• PC is a common occurrence following SAH, with significant implications for patient outcomes.
• Further research is required to elucidate the temporal patterns, risk factors, and underlying neurobiological mechanisms of PC post-SAH.
• Randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate effective treatments for SAH-related PC.