# OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE ONE TO FIVE YEARS AFTER ANEURYSMAL SUBARACHNOID HAEMORRHAGE: A COHORT STUDY

## TL;DR

This study shows that many patients who survive a brain aneurysm bleed still face long-term challenges in daily activities and work, especially in leisure and productivity.

## Contribution

The study introduces new insights into long-term occupational performance issues after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage using patient-reported outcomes.

## Key findings

- 79% of patients reported occupational performance issues 1 to 5 years after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.
- Problems were most common in leisure and productivity domains.
- Vasospasm and lower Glasgow Outcome Scale scores were significantly associated with performance issues.

## Abstract

To report on the self-perceived occupational performance of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and examine the associations between aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage characteristics, socio-demographic factors and self-perceived problems.

A single-centre cohort study design was combined with a cross-sectional analysis.

All patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage who were capable of performing activities of daily living before discharge from hospital were included.

The assessment of the patient’s occupational performance followed a patient-reported outcome measure 1 to 5 years after the subarachnoid haemorrhage. Secondary outcomes comprised scores from the Glasgow Outcome Scale, modified Rankin Scale, Fisher Scale, World Federation of Neurological Societies grading system, vasospasm, and hydrocephalus.

Of the 62 patients included in the study (66% female, mean age 55 years), 79% reported experiencing issues with occupational performance, most frequently with regard to leisure and productivity. The problems reported were significantly associated with vasospasm (p = 0.021) and the Glasgow Outcome Scale score (p = 0.045).

Even patients who have had aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage with a favourable outcome may encounter occupational performance difficulties for several years. It is vital to use patient-reported outcome measures to identify these issues. This research enhances our comprehension of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage patients’ self-perceived occupational performance and the factors that affect their performance.

LAY ABSTRACT

This study focused on patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage who were able to perform daily activities independently before being discharged from hospital. We studied how these patients felt about their occupational performance 1 to 5 years after their haemorrhage. We also looked at how socio-demographic factors and aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage characteristics impacted their perceived problems. Of the 62 patients examined, 79% reported facing 1 or more difficulties with activities of daily living, especially in leisure and productivity. The individuals who had documented moderate disability or recorded vasospasm while hospitalized had a notably higher frequency of occupational performance problems than others. The consequences of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage are felt by many patients for years after the onset of the disease, as our findings show. This study helps to understand the circumstances of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage patients.