IngentaConnect Astheno-emotional disorder after aneurysmal SAH: reliability, sym...

Authors: Rödholm, M.¹; Starmark, J-E.²; Svensson, E.³; von Essen, C.⁴

Source: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, Volume 103, Number 6, June 2001 , pp. 379-385(7)

Abstract:

Objectives- Neuropsychiatric symptoms commonly found after aneurysmal SAH are covered in the astheno-emotional disorder (AED) of Lindqvist & Malmgrens diagnostic system for organic psychiatry. This study aims to describe the reliability and symptomatology of AED and its relationship with social outcome. Material and methods- Patients referred due to aneurysmal SAH (n=78) were assessed after 1-6 months for AED inter-rater reliability (n=36) and after 12 months for AED severity grade, symptomatology and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) (n=63). Results- There was no systematic error in diagnosing and grading AED, and the agreement was 85% and 67% respectively (kappa=0.65 and 0.52). Fatigability, concentration difficulties and memory difficulties were the most frequent symptoms of AED. The relationship between AED and “moderate disability” of GOS was highly significant (P<0.00006). Conclusions- AED affects social outcome, and can be diagnosed with high reliability even without neuropsychological testing. Use of the AED diagnosis for evaluation of organic mental symptoms is encouraged.

Keywords: astheno-emotional disorder; subarachnoid haemorrhage; inter-rater reliability; social outcome

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0404.2001.103006379.x

Affiliations: 1: Psychiatry, 2: Neurology and 3: Department of Statistics, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden 4: Neurosurgery, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University,

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Astheno-emotional disorder after aneurysmal SAH: reliability, symptomatology and relation to outcome