Analysis of the effect and influencing factors of embolotherapy on headache in elderly patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the effect and influencing factors of embolotherapy on headache in elderly patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms.Methods:A retrospective analysis of clinical data of elderly patients(aged≥61 years)with unruptured intracranial aneurysms admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 was performed.Headache assessment was performed by a quantitative 11-point headache scale in all patients preoperatively and at 6 months after endovascular treatment, and the difference between them was analyzed.Univariate analysis was applied to test the association between headache outcomes and clinical variables.Results:A total of 73 patients(mean age 68.4 years old; age range 61-86 years; 47 women)fulfilled the inclusion criteria.There were 53 patients(72.6%)who presented with preoperative headache(headache score≥1). Among them, 39 cases(73.6%)had an improvement in headache, 11(20.8%)remained unchanged, and 3(5.7%)aggravated, after endovascular treatment.The average preoperative headache score was 5(4, 6) vs.postoperative 3(1, 4), with statistical significance( Z=-5.036, P=0.000). Only the preoperative headache score was associated with outcomes of headache, and a higher headache score predicted a lack of headache relief( Z=-2.819, P=0.005). Conclusions:Embolotherapy of unruptured intracranial aneurysms can relieve headache in most elderly patients.Preoperative headache severity is correlated with postoperative headache outcomes.