BACKGROUND

To investigate the prevalence of cognitive complaints after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the relationships between cognitive complaints and cognitive impairments, disability and emotional problems.

METHODS

Cognitive complaints were assessed with the Checklist for Cognitive and Emotional Consequences following stroke (CLCE-24) in 111 persons who visited our outpatient clinic 3 months after SAH. Associations between cognitive complaints and cognitive functioning, demographic characteristics, disability and emotional problems were examined using Spearman correlations and linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

In this study group, 105 patients (94.6%) reported at least one cognitive or emotional complaint that hampered everyday functioning. The most frequently reported cognitive complaints were mental slowness, short-term memory problems and attention deficits. All cognitive domains, disability, depressive symptoms and feelings of anxiety were significantly associated with the CLCE-24 cognition score. In the final regression model, memory functioning (beta value -0.21), disability (-0.28) and depressive symptoms (0.40) were significant determinants of cognitive complaints, together explaining 35.4% of the variance.

CONCLUSION

Cognitive complaints are common after SAH and associated with memory deficits, disability and depressive symptoms. Rehabilitation programs should focus on these symptoms and deficits.