A recent study published in the journal Stroke, the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Stroke Association, sheds light on the higher risk of developing mental health conditions in patients diagnosed with brain aneurysms. This risk is notably higher among individuals under the age of 40, compared to their peers without aneurysms.
An unruptured intracranial aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel in the brain weakens and bulges, creating a potential risk for rupture and life-threatening brain bleeds. Neurosurgeon Na-Rae Yang, M.D., Ph.D., a study co-author, explains the anxiety many patients experience when monitoring an aneurysm through imaging tests. Even when a doctor advises against surgery and recommends observation, many patients remain fearful of the potential for fatal bleeds.
The study examined a large dataset from the National Health Information Database of South Korea, encompassing over 20 years of health data (2004-2024) from over 85,000 people. The research sought to determine how many patients with brain aneurysms developed mental health conditions compared to a control group of people diagnosed with upper respiratory infections.
The study found that:
People with brain aneurysms were 10% more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition compared to the control group.
The mental health risk was most pronounced in patients younger than 40.
When diagnosed by a psychiatrist, the likelihood of developing a mental health condition was three times greater in aneurysm patients.
This higher mental health risk in younger patients is concerning, as these individuals may also be facing significant life stressors like career building and family responsibilities. The results indicate that younger adults with brain aneurysms may be particularly vulnerable to mental health issues, emphasizing the need for targeted mental health interventions.
Despite the findings, the study does have limitations. It was based on diagnostic and prescription codes, which may not fully capture the nuances of individual patient care. The size and location of the aneurysms were not taken into account, and the study cannot establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between aneurysm diagnosis and mental health outcomes. Additionally, the data came from South Korea, so the results may not be universally applicable.
The study involved comparing the occurrence of mental health conditions in 85,438 adults with untreated brain aneurysms (diagnosed between 2011 and 2019) to 331,000 adults without aneurysms, treated for upper respiratory infections. The mental health conditions considered included anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, insomnia, and alcohol or substance misuse.
The study highlights the need for comprehensive care for patients with brain aneurysms, addressing both the physical and mental health challenges they face, especially in younger patients.
You Might Be Interested In:
-
Study Finds No Increased Risk of Suicide with GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
-
IVF and ICSI Pregnancies Linked to Higher Exposure to Teratogenic Medications, Study Finds
