A structured telephone interview was conducted in 26 subjects (F/M=10/16; age at follow-up, 49.3±15.0 years; range, 29–80) at a mean time interval of 5.2±3.1 years (range, 1–11) after their initial diagnosis of HSE. WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5) was used as screening instrument for depression, and Short Form-12 was used as HRQoL instrument. We also determined the spatial extent of morphologic abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Ten of the interviewees (38.5 % ) had a WHO-5 score below 13, which is considered indicative of a depressive disorder. Accordingly, concerning their HRQoL, patients felt more impaired by affective than by physical symptoms. MRI ratings and WHO-5 score were not correlated.
While this pilot study does not allow to establish a causal relationship with focal brain damage, findings suggest both a high frequency of depressive symptoms and a low quality of life with respect to mental health following HSE. These results should be confirmed by a prospective trial.