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Subarachnoid hemorrhage patients' fears of recurrence are related to the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder

Noble, A.J.; Baisch, S.; Covey, J.; Mukerji, N.; Nath, F.; Schenk, T.

Authors

A.J. Noble

S. Baisch

N. Mukerji

F. Nath

T. Schenk



Abstract

BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients illustrate a chronic fear of recurrence. A third of patients develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after SAH, and PTSD after other conditions is associated with a more negative outlook on life. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether recurrence fears are related to PTSD and whether this is associated with the patients making more negative health appraisals. We also examined the helpfulness of current treatments. METHODS: Two SAH samples were generated. Sample 1 (n = 82) was assessed 13 months after ictus for PTSD, cognition, fear of recurrence, and beliefs concerning future health. Sample 2 (n = 60) was assessed 18 months after ictus for PTSD and to determine how much current treatments increased their confidence about not having another SAH. RESULTS: Thirty-four percent of sample 1 had PTSD. Although clinically and cognitively comparable, PTSD patients feared recurrence more and were comparatively more pessimistic about their chances of further SAH. Thirty-six percent of sample 2 had PTSD. These most fearful patients reported finding current treatments the least helpful. CONCLUSION: Fear of recurrence after SAH is related to PTSD. Participants with PTSD were more pessimistic about their future health. Treatment for PTSD could alleviate fears of SAH recurrence and promote better outcome.

Citation

Noble, A., Baisch, S., Covey, J., Mukerji, N., Nath, F., & Schenk, T. (2011). Subarachnoid hemorrhage patients' fears of recurrence are related to the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder. Neurosurgery, 69(2), 323-333. https://doi.org/10.1227/neu.0b013e318216047e

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Aug 1, 2011
Deposit Date Aug 24, 2011
Journal Neurosurgery
Print ISSN 0148-396X
Electronic ISSN 1524-4040
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 69
Issue 2
Pages 323-333
DOI https://doi.org/10.1227/neu.0b013e318216047e
Keywords Fear, Outcome, Posttraumatic stress disorder, Quality of life, Recurrence, Subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Publisher URL http://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/Fulltext/2011/08000/Subarachnoid_Hemorrhage_Patients__Fears_of.21.aspx