Background/Aim

This study aims to understand early (<24 h post ictus) and late (up to 12 months) survival post aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH), with a focus on rurality and socioeconomic status.

Methods

A statewide population-based cohort of aSAH cases in Tasmania, Australia, was established from 2010 to 2014 using multiple overlapping sources. Clinical data were collected from medical records and the Tasmanian Death Registry, with area-level rurality and socioeconomic status geocoded to participants’ residential address.

Results

From a cohort of 237 (70% women, 36% disadvantaged, 38% rural) individuals over a 5-year period, 12-month mortality was 52.3% with 54.0% of these deaths occurring within 24 h post ictus. In univariable analysis of 12-month survival, outcome was not influenced by socioeconomic status, but rural geographical location was associated with a non-significant increase in death (hazard ratio (HR) 1.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85–1.75) along with hypertension (HR 1.78; 95% CI 1.07–2.98) and hypercholesterolaemia (HR 1.70; 95% CI 0.99–2.91). Multivariable analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in death to 12 months after aSAH for both hypertension (HR 1.81; 95% CI 1.08–3.03) and hypercholesterolaemia (HR 1.71; 95% CI 1.00–2.94) but not socioeconomic status or geographic location.

Conclusion

We found high early death in this population-based aSAH Australian population. Survival to 12 months after aSAH was not related to either geographical location or socioeconomic status but modifiable risk factors increased the risk of death.