Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT): Long-Term Vocational Outcome Study

Abstract

Abstract Title: Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT): Long-Term Vocational Outcome Study Author, year: Erik Lindgren, 2016 Supervisors: Turgut Tatlisumak MD, PhD, Katarina Jood MD, PhD Institution, city, country: Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden AND Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. Background: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon form of stroke mainly affecting working aged individuals and predominantly females. Long-term consequences and outcomes of CVT are not well described. Aim: To investigate long-term functional outcome in patients with CVT in terms of vocational activity. Methods: All CVT patients diagnosed and treated in the Sahlgrenska University Hospital between 1997 and 2015 were retrospectively investigated through medical records. Surviving patients fulfilling the study criteria were invited to a clinical long-term follow-up visit. Results: Of 90 survivors at working-age, 39 were followed-up (mean onset age 39 y, 62 % female). At the end of follow-up (median 134 months), 55 % of patients were fully recovered (modified Rankin scale, [mRS] =0-1), whereas 16 % reported significant disabilities (mRS=3-5). Most frequent residual symptoms were concentration or memory disorder (62 %), severe headaches (39 %), psychiatric problems (35 %), and fatigue (29 %). One quarter (28 %) was not able to return to work; following consequences from their CVT. Age and sex adjusted predictors for work return were absence of acute infarction (Hazard Ratio [HR]=3.8), absence of acute intracranial event (HR=2.5), oral contraceptive use among females (HR=3.3), straight sinus thrombosis (HR=3.5) and male sex (HR=3.3). Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT): Long-Term Vocational Outcome Study Conclusions: Long-term CVT residual symptoms seem to have negative impact on working life. Individual predictors for work return were absence of acute infarction, absence of acute intracranial event, oral contraceptive use among females, straight sinus thrombosis and male sex.