Health-related quality of life and cost-effectiveness of treatment in subarachnoid haemorrhage
European Journal of Neurology, 06/08/2012  Clinical Article

Malmivaara K et al. – Long–term outcome of survivors after aneurysmal SAH was relatively good: Most of them lived at home, 63% had returned to work and 36% was still working. The quality of life index of the survivors was similar to that of normal populations, and the survivors were as satisfied with their health as people in general are. Cost of neurosurgical treatment and cost of a quality–adjusted life year (QALY) gained were acceptable.

• The authors performed a long–term follow–up of the SAH patients treated in the institution over 3–year period starting February 1998.
• Outcome 10 years after the SAH and treatment costs were evaluated.
• The health–related quality of life was evaluated using the Euroqol (EQ–5D) questionnaire and visual–analogue scale (VAS).
• The cost of a quality–adjusted life year (QALY) was calculated.

• Median follow–up time of the 178 patients was 10.8 years.
• Overall mortality rate was 24%.
• Of the 43 non–survivors, 42% died within 6 months.
• For the 135 survivors, the median EQ–5D index value was 1.00, which is similar to that for normal population.
• The median VAS value was 80, which is comparable to normal population's value.
• Of the survivors, 88% (119/135) were able to live at home and 63% (85/135) returned to work after SAH.
• The cost of neurosurgical treatment for one QALY was 1700€.