Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2025.64.03.03

Impaired Quality of Life in Survivors of Craniocervical Artery Dissection

Arijana Lovrenčić-Huzjan orcid.org/0000-0002-6911-4159 ; Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia *
Marina Roje-Bedeković ; Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Lidija Dežmalj-Grbelja ; Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Marijana Bosnar-Puretić orcid.org/0000-0002-3602-961X ; Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Educational and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, University Campus Borongaj, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The functional outcome of cervical artery dissection (CAD) survivors is usually good,
but patients report impaired quality of life (QOL).
The aim of the study was to compare QOL and changes in headaches between CAD patients and
patients of similar age and outcomes who suffered ischemic stroke of other determined etiology (ISOE).
The study included 20 CAD patients (10 female, age 44.55 ± 10.71 years), and 20 ISOE patients (3
female, age 48.00 ± 8.7 years). Functional outcome was measured with the modified Rankin scale (mRS)
and QOL with the European Quality of Life Health Questionnaire (EQ-5D). We assessed changes
in the frequency and severity of migraines and other headaches and performed a student’s t-test for
intergroup comparison.
The mean mRS was 0.5 ± 0.83 in CAD and 0.35 ± 0.75 in ISOE patients. CAD patients had fewer
comorbidities and more frequent migraines. No problems in any of the 5 EQ-5D domains were reported
in 30% of CAD and 80% of ISOE patients (P = 0.02). The visual analog scale (VAS) of mean health
was 71.25 ± 19.52 in CAD patients and 87.25 ± 16.18 in ISOE patients (P = 0.01). A 100% VAS score
was obtained in 10% of CAD patients and 40% of ISOE patients (P = 0.02).
Although CAD patients had fewer comorbidities, they had more impaired QOL compared to ISOE
patients of similar age and outcome. They also reported a worsening of their migraines.

Keywords

Quality of life; Arterial dissection; Stroke; Migraine

Hrčak ID:

342590

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/342590

Publication date:

30.9.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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