Sanne van der Vossen , Vera P.M. Schepers, Jan Willem Berkelbach van der Sprenkel , Johanna M. A. Visser-Meily, Marcel W.M. Post
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht and Rehabilitation Center De Hoogstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-1795

Objectives: To determine long-term cognitive complaints and symptoms of depression or anxiety in patients following surgery for a cerebral meningioma, and to examine factors associated with these outcomes.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Patients: Patients operated on for a cerebral meningioma in the University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands, between 2007 and 2009.
Methods: Clinical data were retrieved from medical files. Patients completed a postal questionnaire. Cognitive complaints were measured with the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire. A score above 43. 5 was defined as presence of cognitive complaints. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and were considered present if the scale score was ≥ 8.
Results: The response rate was 76% (n = 136). Mean time after operation was 32. 6 months (standard deviation 10. 6 months). Overall, 40% of patients experienced cognitive and/or emotional problems. Thirty-one patients (23%) experienced cognitive complaints, 39 (29%) showed anxiety, and 31 (23%) showed depressive symptoms. Country of birth and previous depression/burn-out were the most important factors. Scores on all outcome measures were related to each other.
Conclusion: Forty percent of patients experienced cognitive or emotional problems following surgery for a cerebral meningioma. Screening for these problems is therefore important in order to provide patients with the care they require as soon as possible.