M Rödholm1, J E Starmark, E Svensson, C Von Essen. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden.
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.
OBJECTIVES: Neuropsychiatric symptoms commonly found after aneurysmalSAH 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 aneurysmalSAH (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.