Self-reported cognitive function and its relationship with self-reported health, psychological distress, and life satisfaction among cardiac arrest survivors - a nationwide register study
Authors: Larsson K , Hjelm C , Stromberg A , Israelsson J , Carlsson N , Tsoukala D , Bremer A , Agerstrom J , Arestedt K 
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Cognitive problems in terms of memory, executive function, information retrieval, perception, and attention are common in cardiac arrest (CA) survivors. Studies show that cognitive impairment are associated with important outcomes such as lower quality of life, social function, and ability to work. However, cognitive function is commonly assessed by performance-based or observer-reported outcome measures that do not reflect the person’s own experience. To offer a person-centred CA care, this knowledge is of high importance.

Purpose

To describe self-reported cognitive function and its relationship with self-reported health, psychological distress, and life satisfaction among CA survivors.

Methods

This nationwide register study utilized data from the (Country) Register of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, encompassing survivors of both in-hospital and out-of-hospital CA. Inclusion criteria comprised survivors with a Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale score ≤3 at hospital discharge who underwent a follow-up phone interview with a registered nurse 3-6 months post CA. Health status was measured using the EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale (EQ VAS), psychological distress with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and life satisfaction with a global question about overall satisfaction from the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11). Self-reported cognitive function was measured by a single question: ‘How do you experience your memory, concentration, and/or planning abilities today compared to before the cardiac arrest?’ Data was analysed using multiple linear regression and multiple binary logistic regression models.

Results

The sample consisted of 1,254 CA survivors, 32% females. The mean age was 66 (SD=13.4) years. Most of the CAs occurred in-hospital (74%) and were witnessed (93%). A cardiac aetiology (55%) and a shockable initial rhythm (57%) were most common. In total, 68% reported an unchanged cognitive function while 27% reported worse cognitive function. Better cognitive function was reported by 5%. Experiencing a worse cognitive function in relation to unchanged or better cognitive function was associated with worse self-reported health measured using the EQ VAS (p&lt;0.001), higher levels of symptom of anxiety and depression measured with the HADS (p&lt;0.001 and p&lt;0.001 respectively), and a lower life satisfaction measured by the LiSat-11 (p&lt;0.001). The significant associations remained after the regression models were adjusted for age, sex, place, aetiology, initial rhythm, and witnessed status.

Conclusions

As CA survivors with worse cognitive function reported poorer health, more psychological distress, and reduced life satisfaction, this study points out the importance to screen for self-reported cognitive function. Using a single question may facilitate the ability to identify survivors with a perceived worse cognitive function in need of support.