American Heart Association, A new study published in Stroke, the peer-reviewed journal of the American Stroke Association, reveals that individuals diagnosed with brain aneurysms face a significantly higher risk of developing mental health conditions compared to those without aneurysms. The research highlights that this risk is particularly pronounced among patients under the age of 40.
An unruptured intracranial aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes weak and bulges, posing a potential risk of rupture and life-threatening bleeding. Dr. Na-Rae Yang, a neurosurgeon and co-author of the study, notes that many patients who do not require surgical intervention often experience anxiety and fear regarding their condition, especially prior to imaging tests that monitor their aneurysms. “Even when it is medically determined that observation is the best course of action, patients still worry about the slim chance of a fatal brain bleed,” she explains.
The study did not specifically target small aneurysms deemed low-risk for rupture, but rather included all diagnosed, untreated brain aneurysms under observation. The decision to monitor rather than treat is typically based on various factors, including the patient’s overall health, although these specific considerations were not captured in the study.
While previous research has indicated patterns of stress and anxiety in patients with aneurysms, this study is one of the first large-scale investigations to quantify the risk of mental health disorders following an aneurysm diagnosis. Researchers analyzed data from South Korea’s National Health Information Database, which spans over two decades and includes health records for more than 85,000 individuals.
The analysis, covering a 10-year period, compared the incidence of mental health conditions—such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and substance misuse—among patients with untreated aneurysms to a control group of over 331,000 adults without aneurysms, matched for age, sex, and other health factors. Key findings include:
Patients with aneurysms were 10% more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition.
This risk was especially high for those under 40, with a three-fold increase in cases diagnosed by psychiatrists.
Dr. Yang emphasizes the implications of these findings: “The elevated rate of severe mental health conditions in younger adults with aneurysms underscores the psychological burden they face, often compounded by life stressors such as career development and family responsibilities.” She advocates for targeted mental health support and interventions tailored to this vulnerable age group.
Aneurysms are typically diagnosed through imaging techniques like CT scans or MRIs, often prompted by neurological symptoms such as headaches or vision changes. In some cases, they may be discovered incidentally during imaging for unrelated issues.
The study acknowledges several limitations, including reliance on diagnostic codes from a national database, which may not fully capture individual patient experiences or the intricacies of mental health status. Additionally, the specific size and location of the aneurysms were not considered, and while the study identifies an association between aneurysm diagnosis and mental health risks, it does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Furthermore, as the study population was exclusively from South Korea, the findings may not be generalizable to other populations.
The research involved 85,438 adults with untreated aneurysms diagnosed between 2011 and 2019, compared to over 331,000 adults without aneurysms treated for acute upper respiratory infections during the same timeframe. Mental health conditions were defined according to the International Classification of Diseases coding database, and the analysis adjusted for various factors, including age, sex, health insurance status, and lifestyle habits.
Related Topics:
-
Epidemics Increase The Risk Of Depression In Elderly People With Migraines
-
A Study Found A Link Between Poor Mental Health And Browsing Negative Online Content
-
Ultra Processed Foods Are Associated With Weight Gain And Health Decline In Adolescents
