In about 25% of patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, a bleeding source cannot be identified. A modified Rankin scale (mRs) was used to measure the influence on quality of life. An SF-36 questionnaire was used for long-term follow-up.
In short-term outcome, a significant improvement from discharge until follow-up was identified with subsequent rehabilitation, but not in the group without rehabilitation. If PM-SAH is compared to a standard population, a reduction in quality of life was identified by the SF-36 questionnaire. Even though there were better mRs at discharge for patients without subsequent rehabilitation, mRs of rehabilitants became nearly even. Patients with good mRs also reach a high HRQoL without rehabilitation. Therefore, subsequent rehabilitation should be recommended on an individual basis.