Gender-related differences in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Female gender is a known risk factor for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).
• Previous studies suggest potential differences in presentation and outcomes between sexes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare admission characteristics and 3-month outcomes between women and men following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
• To investigate if gender influences prognosis after aSAH, considering age and aneurysm characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from a clinical trial including 578 women and 328 men with aSAH.
• Comparison of demographic data, aneurysm location, aneurysm multiplicity, time to surgery, and 3-month outcomes.
• Statistical analysis to determine significant differences between gender groups.

Main Results:

• Women were older (mean 51.4 vs 47.3 years) and more frequently had internal carotid artery aneurysms and multiple aneurysms.
• Men more commonly had anterior cerebral artery aneurysms.
• Surgery rates were similar (98%), but women had shorter time to operation (3.6 vs 5.3 days).
• No statistically significant difference in favorable outcome rates at 3 months (69.7% women vs 73.4% men).

Conclusions:

• Despite differences in age and aneurysm profile, women and men have similar 3-month outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
• Gender does not appear to be an independent predictor of outcome in aSAH.
• Further research may explore underlying biological or treatment-related factors for observed differences in aneurysm characteristics.