Abstract Background and aims Knowledge regarding functional levels after specialised inpatient rehabilitation after a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is lacking. Furthermore, there might be differences in care and outcome between regions within the country. The aim of the study was to exam changes in functional status from admission to discharge in patients with SAH who received specialized inpatient rehabilitation in Sweden between 2014 and 2024. A secondary aim was to investigate potential regional differences in treatment outcomes. Methods All patients with SAH admitted to specialised inpatient rehabilitation during 2014–2024 in Sweden and registered in the Swedish Registry for Rehabilitation Medicine were included. Functional status at admission and discharge was assessed using the physical functioning component of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Non-parametric statistical methods were applied to evaluate changes in FIM and compare regional differences. Results In total, 814 patients with SAH were included. Functional status, as measured by the FIM, was significantly higher at discharge than at admission (p 0.001). A total of 55.8% of the patients achieved improvement according to minimal clinically important difference or attained the maximum FIM score. No measurable improvement in physical functioning was assessed in 10.8%. No statistically significant differences in treatment outcomes were observed between the different regions. Conclusions Subacute specialised inpatient rehabilitation care is beneficial for functional improvement for 50% of the patients with SAH. One out of ten did not improve during the hospital stay, and the reasons are unknown. No regional differences were present in outcomes. Conflict of interest Sara Tellroth: nothing to disclose Hanna C Persson: nothing to disclose
Tellroth et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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