Mental Fatigue and Outcome After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Fatigue is among the most frequently reported sequelae in stroke survivors. For a specific stroke diagnosis, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), fatigue, in general, is reported to be present in 30 to 90% of the patients. It is the mental fatigue component that significantly contributes to difficulties that patients with aSAH face when returning to normal life. However, there is substantial variation in the reported incidence of mental fatigue (25%-60%), which may be attributed to several methodological factors, such as differences in the follow-up periods and instruments used. Consequently, a complete understanding of how mental fatigue influences long-term recovery remains elusive. This research project will contribute to new and important knowledge in long-term effects after SAH when it comes to mental fatigue.

In this study patients surviving an SAH will be assessed for mental fatigue at 5 years after the insult. The patients have previously been assessed at 1 and 3 years. All patients have been treated at Sahlgrenska University Hospital during the acute phase after SAH. Follow-up is performed after 5 years after aSAH through a structured telephone interview, where patients are scored using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) Additionally, the patients receive a self-assessment questionnaire, the Mental Fatigue Scale, Patients are reminded to return the questionnaires at three times.

This study aims to determine the long-term prevalence, severity, and dynamics of mental fatigue at 1, 3, and 5 years after an aSAH. The study also aims to identify whether demographic characteristics and secondary complications or diagnoses after aSAH can be associated with an increased risk of developing mental fatigue or unfavourable outcome.