Associations with health-related quality of life after intracerebral haemorrhage: pooled analysis of INTERACT studies

Background and purpose Limited data exist on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). We aimed to determine baseline factors associated with HRQoL among participants of the pilot and main phases of the Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Haemorrhage Trials (INTERACT 1 and 2). Methods The INTERACT studies were randomised controlled trials of early intensive blood pressure (BP) lowering in patients with ICH (<6hours) and elevated systolic BP (150-220mmHg). HRQoL was determined using the European Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D) at 90days, completed by patients or proxy responders. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with poor overall HRQoL. Results 2756 patients were included. Demographic, clinical and radiological factors associated with lower EQ-5D utility score were age, randomisation outside of China, antithrombotic use, high baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, larger ICH, presence of intraventricular extension and use of proxy responders. High (14) NIHSS score, larger ICH and proxy responders were associated with low scores in all five dimensions of the EQ-5D. The NIHSS score had a strong association with poor HRQoL (p<0.001). Female gender and antithrombotic use were associated with decreased scores in dimensions of pain/discomfort and usual activity, respectively. Conclusions Poor HRQoL was associated with age, comorbidities, proxy source of assessment, clinical severity and ICH characteristics. The strongest association was with initial clinical severity defined by high NIHSS score. Trial registration numbers NCT00226096 and NCT00716079; Post-results.National Health and Medical Research Council of AustraliaSCI(E)ARTICLE170-758

Working memory test battery for young adults: Computerized working memory assessment

<div><p>This study developed a battery of computerized working memory (WM) tests and a scoring system suitable for young adult users. The tests comprised five classic tasks derived from Baddeley’s model of WM, reflecting each of the five WM functions. We recruited 115 undergraduate and graduate students from various academic fields and constructed a preliminary WM scoring norm for young adults. The scoring norm was used as a basis for developing a computerized assessment system. The results of correlation analysis show that the fluid intelligence of young adults is related to the memory function of WM, but not to the central executive system. The proposed working memory test battery for young adults comprehensively reflects the WM capacity of adults.</p></div