Impact of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome on Quality of Life
Author Information
Author(s): Tilburgs Bram RN, PhD, Simons Koen S. MD, PhD, Corsten Stijn MD, Westerhof Brigitte MD, Rettig Thijs C. D. MD, PhD, Ewalds Esther MD, Zegers Marieke PhD, van den Boogaard Mark RN, PhD
Primary Institution: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Hypothesis
To explore associations between the physical, cognitive, and mental post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) health domains with changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following ICU admission.
Conclusion
PICS symptoms in the physical, cognitive, and mental domains are all negatively associated with changes in HRQoL at 3 and 12 months post-ICU.
Supporting Evidence
- At 3 months, 75% of former ICU patients reported PICS in any of the three domains.
- At 12 months, 71% of former ICU patients reported PICS in any of the three domains.
- Patients experienced a mean HRQoL of 0.75 at 3 months and 0.78 at 12 months.
Takeaway
After being in the ICU, many patients have problems with their physical, mental, and thinking abilities, which can make their quality of life worse.
Methodology
A longitudinal prospective multicenter cohort study where patients completed questionnaires regarding their health at ICU admission, 3 months, and 12 months post-ICU.
Potential Biases
Nonresponders were more often female, older, low educated, and had more symptoms of anxiety and depression at baseline.
Limitations
A large portion of eligible patients did not participate, which may have led to an underestimation of results.
Participant Demographics
47% of patients were between 65 and 79 years old, 65% were male, and 54% were admitted for planned surgical reasons.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI, –0.10 to –0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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