Rehabilitation outcome after primary subarachnoid haemorrhage

Functional outcome of primary subarachnoid haemorrhage survivors was examined following rehabilitation in Singapore. Thirty-nine inpatients admitted over a 4-year period were studied retrospectively. There were 21 (53.8%) males and 18 (46.2%) females, mean age 50.9 (SD 12.7) years, at 37. 3 days (SD 16.8) post-injury. Seven (17.9%) had dysphagia and 12 (30.8%) had dysphasia; 17 (43.6%) non-dysphasics had cognitive impairment; 26 patients (66.7%) had Medical Research Council motor power under grade 4. Modified Barthel Index on Admission (MBIA) and Discharge (MBID) were 45.7 (SD 22.3) and 78.3 (SD 18.9), respectively (p = 0.001). Correlation between MBIA and MBID was statistically significant (r = 0.529, p = 0.001). Mean length of stay in rehabilitation was 42.3 days (SD 27.6). Thirty-four patients (87.2%) were discharged home. Nine out of 24 previously employed patients (37.5%) returned to gainful employment. Despite multiple deficits, the patients made significant functional improvement.