Article
Long-term follow-up in patients with arteriovenous malformation based on the quality of life scale and socio-economic status
Langzeitverlauf von Patienten mit einer arteriovenösen Malformation unter Berücksichtigung der Lebensqualität und des sozioökonomischen Status
Search Medline for
Authors
Published: | June 4, 2021 |
---|
Outline
Text
Objective: The rupture of a congenital brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare aetiology of hemorrhagic strokes especially in young patients which can cause high mortality and morbidity. Disability after stroke often leads to deterioration of the quality of life (QOL). The aim of our study is to assess the quality of life of ruptured AVM patients in long-term follow-up at least five years after hemorrhage and to compare their QOL with unruptured AVM patients.
Methods: We performed a prospective assessment using the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS), the Patient Health Questionnaire for depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) and evaluated the socio-economic status (SES) and general health features (pack years, alcohol consumption, BMI). World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were assessed for outcome in log-term follow-up.
Results: We included 73 ruptured and non-ruptured AVM patients. 57.53% had an AVM hemorrhage whereas 42.47% had non-ruptured AVM. At least the mRS was favourable in 93.06% (n=67) and unfavourable in 6.94%. Mean QOLS was 85.63 (ruptured 86,12 and unruptured 84.97). AVM patients with hemorrhage did not show statistical significance in quality of life compared to patients without AVM rupture (p=0.23). Additional analysis in the non-ruptured group showed strong correlation between QOLS and PHQ-9 score (rho=-0.73; p<0.001). The untreated AVM group also showed strong correlation between QOLS and PHQ-9 (rho= -0.81; p<0.002).
Conclusion: Long-term follow up showed no difference in quality of life between ruptured and non-ruptured AVM patients. Outcome and quality of life were high in both groups. Further studies are necessary to evaluate depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with treated vs. untreated AVM patients.