Elevated premorbid body mass index is not associated with poor neurological outcome in the subacute state after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: An elevated body mass index (BMI) is suggested to be a risk factor for a poor outcome after intracranial aneurysm rupture and is considered to be associated with cerebral infarction in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study was to analyze the association between permorbid BMI and neurological outcome.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the patients' BMI at the time of their admission to hospital was correlated to their neurological outcome as measured by the Glasgow outcome score after two weeks and two months of treatment.

Results: In contrast to other studies, there were no significant correlations between premorbid BMI and neurological outcome, shunt requirement, tracheotomy requirement and duration of stay on the intensive care unit (ICU).

Conclusions: Overweight patients have no higher risk of a poor neurological outcome after aneurysmal SAH if premorbid risk factors such as hypertension and hyperglycemia are carefully modified throughout the period of critical care.