Abstract Objectives To investigate the multifactorial determinants of recovery outcomes in cerebral aneurysm patients by identifying subgroups based on clinical and psychological factors. Methods A cross-sectional approach was used (n=111), employing cluster analysis to group patients into Minor Deficits (MiD), Moderate Deficits (MoD), and Severe Deficits (SD) subgroups based on SF-36 responses. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), while psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression, and pain (incl. medication), were measured via self-reported questionnaires. AI- and MRI-based brain lesion volumes (LV) were recorded (n=82). Results SD demonstrated significantly worse clinical and psychological outcomes compared to MiD, including higher rates of aneurysm rupture, vasospasm, and larger LV. No significant differences in LV or work disability were found between MoD and SD. However, SD showed significantly higher medication use for pain, sedation, and depression, and more intense pain and psychological distress, including greater anxiety and perceived impairment due to the aneurysm diagnosis. This increased medication use was associated with poorer functional recovery and heightened psychological distress, suggesting that medication needs may reflect the severity of both physical and psychological impairment. Conclusion The Minor Deficits group, being less affected by negative influences, demonstrated better overall outcomes. While LV and work disability did not differ between MoD and SD, significant disparities in medication use, mRS, perception of the cerebral aneurysm diagnosis, and psychological well-being were evident. These findings underscore the need for integrated care strategies addressing both physical and psychological factors to improve outcomes in cerebral aneurysm patients.
Reder et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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