Quality of life before intensive care unit admission and its influence on resource utilization and mortality rate

Quantifying the burden of the post-ICU syndrome in South Africa: A scoping review of evidence from the public health sector

BACKGROUND

The post-ICU syndrome (PICS) comprises unexpected impairments in physical, cognitive, and mental health after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge, and is associated with a diminished health-related quality of life (HRQOL). A Cochrane review recommended more research in this field from low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to examine the extent and nature of publications in the field of PICS in the South African (SA) public health sector. Findings of available local research are contextualised through comparison with international data.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search strategy was employed. Inclusion criteria comprised publications enrolling adult patients following admission to SA public hospital ICUs, with the aim to study the main elements of PICS (ICU-acquired neuromuscular weakness, neurocognitive impairment, psychopathology and HRQOL).

RESULTS

Three studies investigated physical impairment, 1 study psychopathology, and 2 studies HRQOL. Recommended assessment tools were utilised. High rates of attrition were reported. Neuromuscular weakness in shorter-stay patients had recovered at 3 months. Patients who were ventilated for ≥5 days were more likely to be impaired at 6 months. The study on psychopathology reported high morbidity. The HRQOL of survivors was diminished, particularly in patients ventilated for ≥5 days.

CONCLUSION

This review found a paucity of literature evaluating PICS in the SA public health sector. The findings mirror those from international studies. Knowledge gaps pertaining to PICS in medical, surgical and HIV-positive patients in SA are evident. No publications on neurocognitive impairment or the co-occurrence of PICS elements were identified. There is considerable scope for further research in this field in SA.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE STUDY

This review identified the available publications investigating the post ICU syndrome (PICS) in the South African public healthcare setting. A small number of ground-breaking studies were found. Knowledge gaps in this field were identified.

Worse pre-admission quality of life is a strong predictor of mortality in critically ill patients

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to investigate whether quality of life (QoL) before intensive care unit (ICU) admission could predict ICU mortality in critically ill patients.

Patients and methods

Between January 2019 and April 2019, a total of 105 ICU patients (54 males, 51 females; mean age: 58 years; range, 18 to 91 years) from two ICUs of a tertiary care hospital were included in this cross-sectional, prospective study. Pre-admission QoL was measured by the Short Form (SF)-12- Physical Component Scores (PCS) and Mental Component Scores (MCS) and EuroQoL five-dimension, five-level scale (EQ-5D-5L) within 24 h of ICU admission and mortality rates were estimated.

Results

The overall mortality rate was 28.5%. Pre-admission QoL was worse in the non-survivors independent from age, sex, socioeconomic and education status, and comorbidities. During the hospitalization, the rate of sepsis and ventilator/hospital-acquired pneumonia were similar among the two groups (p>0.05). Logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, education status, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores showed that pre-admission functional status as assessed by the SF-12 MCS (odds ratio [OR]: 14,2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.5-79.0), SF-12 PCS (OR: 10.6; 95% CI: 1.8-62.7), and EQ-5D-5L (OR: 8.0; 95% CI: 1.5-44.5) were found to be independently associated with mortality.

Conclusion

Worse pre-admission QoL is a strong predictor of mortality in critically ill patients. The SF-12 and EQ-5D-5L scores are both valuable tools for this assessment. Not only the physical status, but also the mental status before ICU admission should be evaluated in terms of QoL to better utilize ICU resources.

Improvement of quality of life (QOL) between 1 and 3-4 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in ICU patients

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of changes in quality of life (QOL) in ICU patients several years after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not well documented.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted in all patients with TBI admitted between 2004 and 2008 to the ICU of Regional Hospital of Malaga (Spain). Functional status was evaluated by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and QOL by PAECC (Project for the Epidemiologic Analysis of Critical Care patients) questionnaire between 0 (normal QOL) to 29 points (worst QOL).

RESULTS

A total of 531 patients. Median(Quartile1,Quartile 3) age: 35 (22, 56) years. After 3-4 years, 175 died (33%). Survivor QOL was deteriorated (median total PAECC score: 5 (0, 11) points) although 75.76% of patients who survived showed good functional situation (GOS normal or mild dysfunction). An improvement in QOL scores between 1 and 3-4 years was observed (median PAECC score differences between 3-4 years and 1 year: - 1(- 4, 0) points). QOL score improved during this interval of time: 62.6% of patients. Change in QOL was related by multivariate analysis to admission cranial-computed tomography scan (Marshall's classification), age, and Injury Severity Score (ISS), with the biggest improvement seen in younger patients and with more severe ISS. Basic physiological activities were maintained in the majority of patients. Subjective aspects and working activities improved between 1 and 3-4 years but with a high proportion still impaired in these items after 3-4 years.

CONCLUSIONS

ICU patients with TBI after 1 year show improvement in QOL between 1 and 3-4 years, with the biggest improvement in QOL seen in younger patients and in those with more severe ISS.

Relationship between functional status prior to onset of critical illness and mortality: a prospective multicentre cohort study

This prospective study aimed to assess the association between prior functional status and hospital mortality for patients admitted to four intensive care units in Spain between 2006 and 2012. Prior functional status was classified into three groups, using a modification of the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), including group 1 with no limitations on activities of daily living; group 2 with some limitations but self-sufficient; and group 3 who were dependent on others for their activities of daily living. Of the 1,757 patients considered (mean Simplified Acute Physiology Score [SAPS] predicted mortality 14.8% and hospital mortality 13.7%), group 1 had the lowest observed hospital mortality (8.3%) compared to the SAPS 3 predicted mortality (11.6%). The observed mortality for group 2 (20.6%) and group 3 (27.4%) were both higher than predicted (19.2% and 21.2% respectively; odds ratio [OR] 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-2.82 for group 2 and OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.78-4.72 for group 3 compared to group 1). Combining prior functional status and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score with SAPS 3 further improved the ability of the SAPS 3 scores in predicting hospital mortality (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.85 [95% CI 0.82-0.88] versus 0.84 [95% CI 0.81-0.87] respectively). In summary, patients with limited functional status prior to ICU admission had a higher risk of observed hospital mortality than predicted. Assessing prior functional status using a relatively simple questionnaire, such as a modified GOS, has the potential to improve the accuracy of existing prognostic models.

Pre-event quality of life and its influence on the post-event quality of life among patients with ST elevation and non-ST elevation myocardial infarctions of a premier province of Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND

Pre-event Quality of Life (QOL) reflects the true social circumstances in which people live prior to the onset of myocardial infarctions. It is believed to be a predictor of the post-event QOL. The aim of this study was to describe the pre-event QOL and its influence on the post-event Quality of Life among patients with ST elevation (STEMI) and Non-ST elevation myocardial infarctions (NSTEMI) using Short Form-36 (SF-36), a generic QOL tool with 8 domains. Documented literature is rare in this regard in Sri Lanka, which is a lower-middle-income country.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study with a 28-day post-discharge follow-up was carried out in 13 hospitals. Three hundred and forty-four patients who were diagnosed with STEMI or NSTEMI were recruited during the hospital stay. The pre-event QOL was measured using an interviewer-administered questionnaire which included the SF-36 QOL tool and medical details. Follow-up QOL was gathered using a questionnaire that was filled and posted back by participants. Of the recruited sample, 235 responded for the follow-up component. Analysis was conducted for associations between pre- and post-discharge QOL. Furthermore, comparisons were made between the STEMI and NSTEMI groups. Mann Whiney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and chi square test were used in the analysis.

RESULTS

The post-event QOL was lower in seven out of eight domains than the pre-event QOL (p < 0.05). The NSTEMI group had more risk factors and a significantly lower pre-event QOL for seven domains (p < 0.05), when compared to the STEMI group. For seven domains, the post-discharge QOL was not significantly different (p > 0.05) between the STEMI and NSTEMI groups. Post-discharge general-health QOL domain score was higher than the pre-MI score (p = 0.028) and was higher in the STEMI group compared to the NSTEMI group (p = 0.042). Regression analysis showed a significant beta coefficient between pre- and post-QOL for five domains in STEMI and for all domains in NSTEMI groups when adjusted for the disease severity. The R square values ranged from 12.3 to 62.3% for STEMI and 7.3 to 64.8% for NSTEMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-event QOL is lower in the NSTEMI group compared to the STEMI group. Patients do not regain the previous QOL within one month post-discharge. Post-discharge QOL can be predicted by the pre-event QOL for most domains.

Relationship between quality-of-life after 1-year follow-up and severity of traumatic brain injury assessed by computerized tomography

PURPOSE

This paper studies the relationship between computed tomography (CT) scan on admission, according to Marshall's tomographic classification, and quality-of-life (QoL) after 1 year in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

This study used validated scales including the Glasgow Outcome Scale and the PAECC (Project for the Epidemiologic Analysis of Critical Care Patients) QoL questionnaire.

RESULTS

We enrolled 531 patients. After 1 year, 171 patients (32.2%) had died (missing data = 6.6%). Good recovery was seen in 22.7% of the patients, while 20% presented moderate disability. The PAECC score after 1 year was 9.43 ± 8.72 points (high deterioration). Patients with diffuse injury I had a mean of 5.08 points vs 7.82 in those with diffuse injury II, 11.76 in those with diffuse injury III and 19.29 in those with diffuse injury IV (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis found that QoL after 1 year was associated with CT Marshall classification, depth of coma, age, length of stay, spinal injury and tracheostomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with TBI had a high mortality rate 1 year after admission, deterioration in QoL and significant impairment of functional status, although more than 40% were normal or self-sufficient. QoL after 1 year was strongly related to cranial CT findings on admission.

Depression as an independent risk factor for mortality in critically ill patients

OBJECTIVE

Mortality on medical intensive care units (ICU) is approximately 25%. It is associated with age, severity of illness, and comorbidities. Preexisting depression is a risk factor for worse outcome in many diseases. The impact of depression on outcome of ICU patients has not been investigated. We assessed a possible association between mortality and preexisting depressive mood at the time of ICU admission. The primary end point was 28-day mortality.

METHODS

This single-center cohort study was conducted in a tertiary medical ICU. Two hundred patients were evaluated for preexisting depressive mood at ICU admission, determined by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score ≥8 in the depression dimension in patients with appropriate cognitive function. Patients with insufficient cognitive function were assessed using observer rating by next of kin by Hammond scale (cutoff ≥4) and/or a modified version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for observer rating (cutoff ≥10).

RESULTS

In total, 66 (33%) of 200 patients were classified with preexisting depressive mood. Forty-nine (24.5%) of 200 patients had died by day 28. Of these, 23 (47%) had preexisting depressive mood as compared with 43 of 151 (29%) 28-day survivors (p = .017). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that preexisting depressive mood at the time of ICU admission is an independent risk factor for 28-day (odds ratio = 2.2, 95% confidence interval = 1.08-4.5, p = .030) and in-hospital mortality (median time till death = 20.5 [2-186] days, odds ratio = 2.58, 95% confidence interval = 1.31-5.1, p = .006).

CONCLUSION

Preexisting depressive mood might be an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality in medical ICU patients. This could have diagnostic and therapeutic implications for critically ill patients.

Preadmission quality of life can predict mortality in intensive care unit--a prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

We sought to investigate whether preadmission quality of life could act as a predictor of mortality among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospective observational study of all patients above the age of 18 years admitted to the ICU with a length of stay longer than 24 hours. Short form 36 (SF-36) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) were used. Mortality was assessed during ICU admission, 30, and 90 days hereafter.

RESULTS

We included 318 patients. No patients were lost to follow-up. Using the physical component summary of short form 12 (SF-12) as a predictor of ICU mortality, the area under the curve (0.70; confidence interval, 0.62-0.77) was comparable with that of APACHE II (0.74; confidence interval, 0.67-0.82). The difference between SF-12 and SF-36 was nonsignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

Preadmission quality of life, assessed by SF-36 and SF-12, is as good at predicting ICU, 30-, and 90-day mortality as APACHE II in patients admitted to the ICU for longer than 24 hours. This indicates that estimated preadmission quality of life, potentially available in the pre-ICU setting, could aid decision making regarding ICU admission and deserves more attention by those caring for critically ill patients.

Quality of life before admission to the intensive care unit

Objective

To examine the reliability of the SF-36 general health questionnaire when used to evaluate the health status of critically ill patients before admission to intensive care and to measure their health-related quality of life prior to admission and its relation to severity of illness and length of stay in the intensive care unit.

Methods

Prospective cohort study conducted in the intensive care unit of a public teaching hospital. Over three months, communicative and oriented patients were interviewed within the first 72 hours of intensive care unit admission; 91 individuals participated. The APACHE II score was used to assess severity of illness, and the SF-36 questionnaire was used to measure health-related quality of life.

Results

The reliability of SF-36 was verified in all dimensions using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. In six dimensions of eight domains the value exceeded 0.70. The average SF-36 scores of the health-related quality of life dimensions for the patients before admission to intensive care unit were 57.8 for physical functioning, 32.4 for role-physical, 53.0 for bodily pain, 63.2 for general health, 50.6 for vitality, 56.2 for social functioning, 54.6 for role-emotional and 60.3 for mental health. The correlations between severity of illness and length of stay and the health-related quality of life scores were very low, ranging from -0.152 to 0.175 and -0.158 to 0.152, respectively, which were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

In the sample studied, the SF-36 demonstrated good reliability when used to measure health-related quality of life in critically ill patients before admission to the intensive care unit. The worst score was role-physical and the best was general health. Health-related quality of life of patients before admission was not correlated with severity of illness or length of stay in the intensive care unit.

Health-related quality of life of long-term survivors of intensive care: changes after intensive care treatment. Experience of an Austrian intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine if health-related quality of life of long-term survivors changes 24 months after intensive care treatment compared to the quality of life before admission.

METHODS

From 281 patients treated at the ICU in 2001, 132 survivors were contacted by phone on average 24 months after discharge. Fernandez questionnaire was used to assess preadmission quality of life prospectively and postdischarge quality of life, retrospectively. In addition, age, sex, admission diagnosis, ICU length of stay, presence of organ failure, and necessity of mechanical ventilation were determined.

RESULTS

In the 101 ICU survivors who responded to the questionnaire, the total score of quality of life did not change significantly over time (5.48 ± 5.3 before admission vs. 5.6 ± 5.8 at follow-up; p = 0.9). Similarly, the performance of normal daily activities did not alter (3.0 ± 3.5 vs. 3.39 ± 3.6; p = 0,3). In contrast, the ability to perform basic physiological activities worsened significantly (0.39 ± 0.76 vs. 0.76 ± 1.52; p = 0.037), whereas the emotional state improved significantly after intensive care treatment (2.08 ± 1.78 vs. 1.46 ± 1.56, p = 0.003). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis the total score of quality of life before admission was the only variable which influenced the quality of life 2 years after ICU-stay.

CONCLUSIONS

In the interviewed population the total score of health-related quality of life did not change after intensive care treatment. Surprisingly, emotional state improved significantly although physical performance decreased. Quality of life after ICU discharge was predominantly influenced by preadmission quality of life. However, these results are not reflective of all ICU survivors.

Associations between the use of critical care procedures and change in functional status at discharge

Quality improvement initiatives in intensive care units (ICUs) have increased survival rates. Changes in functional status following ICU care have been studied, but results are inconclusive because of insufficient consideration of the combinations of critical care procedures used. Using the Japanese administrative database including the Barthel Index (BI) at admission and discharge, we measured the changes in functional status among the adult patients and determined whether longer ICU stay or use of various critical care procedures was associated with functional deterioration. Of the 12 502 528 patients admitted to 1206 hospitals over 5 consecutive years from 2006, we analyzed data from patients aged 15 years or older who survived ICU admission in 320 hospitals. Critical care procedures evaluated were ventilation, blood purification (hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, or hemadsorption), and cardiac support devices (intra-aortic balloon pump or percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system). Functional outcomes were determined by the difference between BI at admission and at discharge and were divided into improvement, no change, or deterioration. We compared patient characteristics, principal diagnosis, comorbidities, timing of surgical procedure, complications, days in ICU, and use of critical care procedures among the 3 categories. Associations between critical care procedures and functional deterioration were identified using multivariate analysis. Of 234 209 patients with complete BI information, 7137 (3.1%) received blood purification, 27 100 (11.7%) received ventilation, 2888 (1.2%) received blood purification and ventilation, 5613 (2.4%) received a cardiac support device, 247 (0.1%) received a cardiac support device and blood purification, 10 444 (4.5%) received a cardiac support device and ventilation, and 1110 (0.5%) received a cardiac support device, ventilation, and blood purification. Longer use of blood purification or ventilation and a longer ICU stay were associated with functional deterioration. Intensivists should be aware of the effects of critical care procedures on functional deterioration and advance the appropriate use of functional support according to each patient's condition.

Lung function and quality of life in survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Recent studies have begun to describe the long-term outcomes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) survivors. These patients experience a number of physical, mental and psychological morbidities that significantly impair their health-related quality of life (HRQL). The trajectory of pulmonary recovery in survivors of ARDS, as it relates to lung function, structure and health-related quality of life (HRQL), is predictable and often persists years after hospital discharge. True pulmonary parenchymal morbidity is uncommon and when present, persistent restrictive disease is likely related to diaphragmatic weakness with a mild reduction in diffusion capacity (DLCO). Future research should focus on identifying patients at risk for long-term functional limitations and the design of rehabilitation interventions tailored to individual patient needs.

Health-related quality of life in Australian survivors of critical illness

OBJECTIVE

To document health-related quality of life of an Australian sample of intensive care unit survivors 6 months after intensive care unit discharge and compare this with preadmission health-related quality of life, health-related quality of life of national population norms, and international samples of intensive care unit survivors.

DESIGN

Prospective observational single-center study.

SETTING

Eighteen-bed medical-surgical tertiary intensive care unit of an Australian metropolitan hospital.

PATIENTS

Of the 122 eligible patients, 100 were recruited (intensive care unit length of stay >48 hrs, age >18 yrs, not imminently at risk of death) and the final sample comprised 67 patients, age (median [interquartile range], 61 yrs [49-73 yrs]), 60% male admitted to the intensive care unit for a median [interquartile range] 101 hrs (68-149 hrs). Normative age- and sex-matched Australian Short-Form 36 data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, selected international cohorts of intensive care unit survivors, and their respective national age-matched normative data were included for comparison.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Sixty-seven participants provided responses to questions rating health-related quality of life (Australian Short-Form 36) at preadmission (on admission to the intensive care unit or through retrospective recall as soon as able) and 6 months after intensive care unit discharge. Ten additional participants were unable to provide study data without proxy input and were excluded from analysis. Participants reported clinically meaningful improvements in bodily pain (p = .001), social functioning (p = .03), role-emotional domains of the Short-Form 36 (p = .04), and mental component summary score (p = .01) at 6 months after intensive care unit discharge, mostly attributable to the patients undergoing cardiac surgery, whereas remaining Short-Form 36 domains showed no difference between preadmission and 6 months (p > .05). Participants reported clinically meaningful decrements in preadmission Short-Form 36 data compared with the Australian normative population with role-physical (p < .001) and physical functioning (p < .001) most affected at follow-up. Health-related quality of life in this sample was comparable with international samples of intensive care unit survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the majority of health-related quality of life domains did not differ between preadmission and 6-month follow-up, participants reported significant and clinically meaningful improvements in pain and mental health at follow-up. Critical illness survivors' health-related quality of life remained within 1 sd of Australian norms at follow-up and physical function health-related quality of life was most affected. Health-related quality of life in these Australian survivors of the intensive care unit was comparable with international survivors 6 months after intensive care unit admission.

Does intensive care unit severity of illness influence recall of baseline physical function?

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to evaluate if severity of illness in the intensive care unit influences patients' retrospective recall of their baseline physical function from before hospital admission.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study of 193 acute lung injury survivors who, before hospital discharge, retrospectively reported their prehospitalization physical function using the Short Form 36 quality of life survey.

RESULTS

Four measures were used to evaluate intensive care unit (ICU) severity of illness: (1) Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II Acute Physiologic Score at ICU admission, (2) Lung Injury Score at acute lung injury diagnosis, (3) Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at study enrollment, and (4) maximum daily Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score during the entire ICU stay. In multivariable linear regression analysis, no measure of severity of illness was associated with prehospitalization physical function. Education level significantly modified the relationship between ICU severity of illness and baseline physical function with lower educational attainment having a stronger association with baseline physical function.

CONCLUSION

Intensive care unit severity of illness was not associated with patients' retrospectively recalled baseline physical function. Patients with a lower level of education may be more influenced by ICU severity of illness, but the magnitude of this effect may not be clinically meaningful.

A multinational study of the influence of health-related quality of life on in-hospital outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

BACKGROUND

The effect of health-related quality of life on in-hospital outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery has not been investigated in international multicenter studies. We hypothesized that poor preoperative health status is associated with mortality and length of hospital stay.

METHODS

In the Multicenter Study of Perioperative Ischemia Epidemiology II, preoperative Short-Form 12, Mental Component Summary (MCS), and Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores were obtained prospectively from 4,811 patients (3,834 men, 977 women) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery at 72 centers in 17 countries. Primary outcome measures were in-hospital mortality and prolonged (>14 days) length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-one patients (3.1%) died. After adjustment for regional differences, a 10-point reduction in MCS score was associated with higher mortality risk (odds ratio [OR] 1.17, 95% CI 1.004-1.37, P = .04) and prolonged hospital stay (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.21, P = .03). The preoperative PCS score was not associated with mortality risk but significantly predicted prolonged length of hospital stay (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.09-1.33, P < .001). There was no significant interaction between gender and either the MCS or the PCS score.

DISCUSSION

The preoperative PCS predicted prolonged postoperative hospital stay, whereas the preoperative MCS score was an independent predictor of both prolonged length of hospital stay and mortality. Preoperative assessment of health-related quality of life factors with the Short-Form 12 might be a useful tool for risk stratification and planning for hospital discharge and rehabilitation.

[Study of post-ICU mortality during 4 years (2006-2009). Analysis of the factors related to death in the ward after discharge from the ICU]

OBJECTIVE

To detect possible reasons for mortality of critical patients transferred from the ICU to the hospital wards and to analyze the possible attributable causes for such mortality.

DESIGN

An observational study of prospectively collected data, analyzed retrospectively.

POPULATION

Cohort analysis of 5328 with consecutive admissions to our ICU, whose evolution was followed up to hospital discharge or death.

PERIOD

From January 2006 to December 2009.

METHOD

An analysis was made of differential significance of epidemiological, clinical-care, death risk estimate, coincidence between ICU admissions reasons and causes of death after ICU discharge, as well as limitation of health care effort incidence. Inappropriate ICU discharge was considered to exist if the death occurred during the first 48 hours after ICU transfer, without limitation of care effort.

RESULTS

A total of 907 patients died (SMR=0.9; 95% CI, 0.87-0.93), 202 of whom died after ICU discharge (3.8% of total sample and 22.3% of all deceased patients), ward length of stay being 12.4±17.9 days. No significant differences were found between deaths in the ICU or post-ICU deaths regarding infective complications appearing after admission to the ICU. Greater mortality was also not found in those re-admitted to the ICU after having been transferred to the ward. It was verified that the cause of death in the ward did not significantly coincide with the cause of admission to the ICU.

DISCUSSION

Some mortality after ICU discharge is to be expected. Our data do not allow us to attribute this mortality rate to care deficiencies (inappropriate ICU discharges or deceased care in the wards). The reasons for this mortality have a varied and variable explanation. It mostly corresponds to an evolution of the patients differing from that expected when they were discharged from ICU.

Quality of life after intensive care: a systematic review of the literature

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate quality of life at least 12 months after discharge from the intensive care unit of adult critically ill patients, to evaluate the methodology used to assess long-term quality of life, and to give an overview of factors influencing quality of life.

DATA SOURCES

EMBASE-PubMed, MEDLINE (OVID), SCI/Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and personal files.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data extraction was performed independently and cross-checked by two reviewers using a predefined data extraction form. Eligible studies were published between 1999 and 2009 and assessed quality of life ≥12 months after intensive care unit discharge by means of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, the RAND 36-Item Health Survey, EuroQol-5D, and/or the Nottingham Health Profile in adult intensive care unit patients.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Fifty-three articles (10 multicenters) were included, with the majority of studies performed in Europe (68%). The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey was used in 55%, and the EuroQol-5D, the Nottingham Health Profile, the RAND 36-Item Health Survey, or a combination was used in 21%, 9%, 8%, or 8%, respectively. A response rate of ≥80% was attained in 26 studies (49%). Critically ill patients had a lower quality of life than an age- and gender-matched population, but quality of life tended to improve over years. The worst reductions in quality of life were seen in cases of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, prolonged mechanical ventilation, severe trauma, and severe sepsis. Study quality criteria, defined as a baseline quality of life assessment, the absence of major exclusion criteria, a description of nonresponders, and a comparison with a reference population were met in only four studies (8%). Results concerning the influence of severity of illness, comorbidity, preadmission quality of life, age, gender, or acquired complications were conflicting.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality of life differed on diagnostic category but, overall, critically ill patients had a lower quality of life than an age- and gender-matched population. A minority of studies met the predefined methodologic quality criteria. Results concerning the influence of the patients' characteristics and illnesses on long-term quality of life were conflicting.

Ward mortality after ICU discharge: a multicenter validation of the Sabadell score

BACKGROUND

Tools for predicting post-ICU patients' outcomes are scarce. A single-center study showed that the Sabadell score classified patients into four groups with clear-cut differences in ward mortality.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

To validate the Sabadell score using a prospective multicenter approach.

SETTING

Thirty-one ICUs in Spain.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients admitted in the 3-month study period. We recorded variables at ICU admission (age, sex, severity of illness, and do-not-resuscitate orders), during the ICU stay (ICU-specific treatments, ICU-acquired infection, and acute renal failure), and at ICU discharge (Sabadell score). Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis with ward mortality as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

We admitted 4,132 patients (mean age 61.5 +/- 16.7 years) with mean predicted mortality of 23.8 +/- 22.7%; 545 patients (13%) died in the ICU and 3,587 (87%) were discharged to the ward. Overall ward mortality was 6.7%; ward mortality was 1.5% (36/2,422) in patients with score 0 (good prognosis), 9% (64/725) in patients with score 1 (long-term poor prognosis), 23% (79/341) in patients with score 2 (short-term poor prognosis), and 64% (63/99) in patients with score 3 (expected hospital death). Variables associated with ward mortality in the multivariate analysis were predicted risk of death (OR 1.016), ICU readmission (OR 5.9), Sabadell score 1 (OR 4.7), Sabadell score 2 (OR 15.7), and Sabadell score 3 (OR 107.2).

CONCLUSION

We confirm the ability of the Sabadell score at ICU discharge to define four groups of patients with very different likelihoods of hospital survival.

[Variations in health-related quality of life in critical patients]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the changes in the health-related quality of life (hRQOL) six months after discharge from the ICU and the conditions associated to them.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING

14 beds medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU).

PATIENTS

A total of 247 patients admitted to our ICU for more than 24 hours with a follow-up of 6 months were study. Those admitted with acute coronary syndrome or for monitoring purposes were excluded.

INTERVENTION

A quality of life survey was conducted using the score developed by the PAEEC group (project of the epidemiological analysis of critical illness) to assess hRQOL before ICU admission and 6 months after discharge.

RESULTS

The hRQOL deteriorated, going from a median value of 3 to 6 (p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed less deterioration of hRQOL in patients with chronic health conditions registered on the APAChE-II score (regression coefficient [RC] = -1.4; 95% CI, -2.5 to -0.2; p < 0.02) and in those with a hRQOL > or = 10 points (RC = -4,4; 95% CI, -5.9 to -2.8; p < 0.001). There was more deterioration in polytraumatized patients (RC = 1.9; 95% CI, 0.6-3.3; p = 0.01) or with renal failure (RC = 3.9; 95% CI, 1.9-5.9; p < 0.001) or in those with a stay duration longer than 10 days (RC = 1.9; 95% CI, 0.6-3.2; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients experience deterioration of hRQOL. Patients with chronic diseases or with worst previous hRQOL who survive 6 months experience less deterioration of hRQOL than those who are polytraumatized or have renal failure or a longer ICU stay.

[Changes in health-related quality of life after ICU according to diagnostic category. Comparison of two measurement instruments]

OBJECTIVE

Assessment of health related quality of life (HRQOL) before and 12 months after discharge from a mixed intensive care unit (ICU) according to diagnostic category and the relationship between both instruments.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

The combined medical/surgical ICU in a secondary university hospital with 450 beds.

PATIENTS

Patients admitted to the ICU over an 18-month period.

MAIN VARIABLES

Variables on demography, diagnosis on admission, severity of acute illness score (APACHE II), length of stay, procedures, mortality and the HRQOL were collected using the Short Form SF-36 and EQ-5D questionnaires. Health status prior to admission was evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Both questionnaires were answered by 189 patients. A significant deterioration in the quality of life was observed 12 months after ICU discharge. Head injury and neurological patients had worse HRQOL one year after discharge. Multiple trauma patients presented severe physical limitations and pain, but without significant differences on the emotional level. The EQ Visual Analogue Scale and the EQ Index score showed clinically relevant differences in these three groups. Respiratory patients are the only group in whom the HRQOL improved. Comparison between both measurement instruments showed a strong correlation on the physical functioning level, but a weaker correlation on the emotional functioning one.

CONCLUSIONS

HRQOL assessment of ICU patients must be done according to a diagnostic category. Both instruments (the EQ-5D and SF-36) are capable of detecting changes in HRQOL. Despite differences in structure and content, both measure similar aspects of quality of life.

Health-related quality of life as a prognostic factor of survival in critically ill patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether health-related quality of life prior to admission into an intensive care unit (ICU) is a prognostic factor of hospital and 1 year mortality.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Fourteen-bed medical-surgical ICU.

PATIENTS

A total of 377 patients admitted to the ICU for more than 24 h with 1-year follow-up after discharge from the hospital.

INTERVENTION

A health-related quality of life (HRQoL) survey was conducted, using the questionnaire developed by the "Project for the Epidemiological Analysis of Critical Care Patients", to assess patient's quality of life 1 month before ICU hospitalization.

RESULTS

Hospital mortality was independently associated with severity assessed by APACHE II, odds ratio (OR) 1.14 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.2; P < 0.001], high workload assessed by Nine Equivalents of Nursing Manpower Score > 30 OR 3.6 (95% CI 1.4-9.0; P = 0.006), hospital length of stay prior to ICU admission of more than 2 days OR 2.6 (95% CI 1.3-5.4; P = 0.008), and bad quality of life prior to ICU admission assessed by a HRQoL score > or = 8 points OR 2.2 (95% CI 1.03-4.5; P = 0.04). Patients who scored > or =8 on the HRQoL survey presented a risk of demise 12 months after discharge almost twofold that of those who had good previous HRQoL (0-2 points), Hazard Ratio 1.9 (95% CI 1.3-2.8; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Bad quality of life is associated with hospital mortality and survival 12 months after hospital discharge.

Cognitive, functional, and quality-of-life outcomes of patients aged 80 and older who survived at least 1 year after planned or unplanned surgery or medical intensive care treatment

OBJECTIVES

To investigate long-term cognitive, functional, and quality-of-life outcomes in very elderly survivors at least 1 year after planned or unplanned surgery or medical intensive care treatment.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

General, 1,024-bed, tertiary university teaching hospital in The Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred four survivors of a cohort of 578 patients admitted to the medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) between January 1997 and December 2002 and alive in December 2003. The majority of survivors underwent elective surgery.

MEASUREMENTS

From December 2003 until February 2004, data were collected from 190 patients and 169 relatives. The measures were: Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline short form (IQCODE-SF) (cognition), modified Katz index of activities of daily living (ADLs) (functional status), and EuroQol (EQ-5D) (health-related quality of life). The patients themselves completed the modified Katz ADL index and EQ-5D forms; their caregivers completed the ADL caregiver version and IQCODE-SF.

RESULTS

The mean age at admission+/-standard deviation was 81.7+/-2.4, and the median time after discharge was 3.7 years (range 1-5.9 years). Of the ICU patients who had planned surgery, 57% survived, compared with 11% of the unplanned surgical admissions and 10% of the medical patients. Three-quarters (74.3%) of the patients who lived at home before ICU admission remained at home at follow-up. Eighty-three percent had no severe cognitive impairment, and 76% had no severe physical limitations (33% had moderate, 40% had mild, and 3% had no limitations). The perceived quality of life was similar to that of an age-matched general population.

CONCLUSION

Long-term survivors of ICU treatment received at the age of 80 and older showed fair-to-good cognitive and physical functioning and quality of life, although few patients who underwent unplanned surgery or who were admitted to the ICU for medical reasons survived.

Quality of life before intensive care unit admission is a predictor of survival

INTRODUCTION

Predicting whether a critically ill patient will survive intensive care treatment remains difficult. The advantages of a validated strategy to identify those patients who will not benefit from intensive care unit (ICU) treatment are evident. Providing critical care treatment to patients who will ultimately die in the ICU is accompanied by an enormous emotional and physical burden for both patients and their relatives. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether health-related quality of life (HRQOL) before admission to the ICU can be used as a predictor of mortality.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study in a university-affiliated teaching hospital. Patients admitted to the ICU for longer than 48 hours were included. Close relatives completed the Short-form 36 (SF-36) within the first 48 hours of admission to assess pre-admission HRQOL of the patient. Mortality was evaluated from ICU admittance until 6 months after ICU discharge. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to assess the predictive value for mortality using five models: the first question of the SF-36 on general health (model A); HRQOL measured using the physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) of the SF-36 (model B); the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (an accepted mortality prediction model in ICU patients; model C); general health and APACHE II score (model D); and PCS, MCS and APACHE II score (model E). Classification tables were used to assess the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and likelihood ratios.

RESULTS

A total of 451 patients were included within 48 hours of admission to the ICU. At 6 months of follow up, 159 patients had died and 40 patients were lost to follow up. When the general health item was used as an estimate of HRQOL, area under the curve for model A (0.719) was comparable to that of model C (0.721) and slightly better than that of model D (0.760). When PCS and MCS were used, the area under the curve for model B (0.736) was comparable to that of model C (0.721) and slightly better than that of model E (0.768). When using the general health item, the sensitivity and specificity in model D (sensitivity 0.52 and specificity 0.81) were similar to those in model A (0.45 and 0.80). Similar results were found when using the MCS and PCS.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that the pre-admission HRQOL measured with either the one-item general health question or the complete SF-36 is as good at predicting survival/mortality in ICU patients as the APACHE II score. The value of these measures in clinical practice is limited, although it seems sensible to incorporate assessment of HRQOL into the many variables considered when deciding whether a patient should be admitted to the ICU.

Quality of life outcome of critical care survivors eighteen months after discharge from intensive care

AIM

To assess the changes in health-related quality of life in patients discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

At the General University ICU, Trauma Hospital in Athens, 242 patients were enrolled prospectively over a study period of 18 months. Out of these, 116 participants (47.9%) completed all survey components at 6, 12, and 18 months. We used Quality of Life-Spanish (QOL-SP) to assess the health-related quality of life. Patients or their relatives were interviewed on ICU admission and at 6, 12, and 18 months after discharge from the ICU.

RESULTS

Mean quality of life score of the patients increased from 2.9+/-4.8 (out of maximum 25 points) on ICU admission to 7.0+/-7.2 points at 6 months after discharge, and then decreased to 5.6+/-6.9 points at 18 months (P<0.001; Friedman Test). Multilinear regression analysis showed that the variables which had the strongest association with the quality of life on admission were age (P=0.002) and male sex (P=0.001), whereas age (P<0.001), length of ICU stay (P<0.001), and male sex (P=0.002) had the strongest association 18 months after discharge from the ICU. Survival rate was 66.9% at discharge from ICU and 61.6% at hospital discharge. There were 33% deaths in the ICU, 5.3% in the hospital, and 6.2% after ICU discharge. There were 7.4% patients lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

After discharge from the ICU, patients' quality of life was poor and showed an improvement at 18 months after discharge, but was still worse than on admission. Age, ICU length of stay, and male sex were the factors that had the strongest impact on the quality of life on admission and at 18 months after discharge from the ICU.

Quality of life before surgical ICU admission

BACKGROUND

Examining the quality of life (QOL) of patients before ICU admission will allow outcome variables to be compared and analyzed in relation to it. The objective of this study was to analyze QOL of patients before admission to a surgical ICU and to study its relationship to outcome and to the baseline characteristics of the patients.

METHODS

All adult patients consecutively admitted to the surgical ICU between November 2004 and April 2005, who underwent non-cardiac surgery, were enrolled in this observational and prospective study. The following patient characteristics were recorded: age, gender, body mass index, ASA physical status, type and magnitude of surgical procedure, length of stay (LOS), in ICU and in hospital, mortality, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS), history of co-morbidities and quality of life survey score (QOLSS). The relationships between QOLSS and ICU variables and outcome were evaluated. The relationship between the total QOLSS and each variable or outcome was assessed by multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

One hundred eighty seven patients completed the study. The preadmission QOLSS of the patients studied was 4.43 +/- 4.90; 28% of patients had a normal quality of life (0 points), 38% had between 1 and 5 points (considered mild deterioration), 21% had between 6 and 10 points (moderate deterioration), 10% had between 11 and 15 points (considered major deterioration) and 3% had more than 15 points (severe limitation of quality of life). A worse preadmission QOLSS was associated with higher SAPS II scores, with older patients (age> 65 years) and with ASA physical status (ASA III/IV). Total QOLSS was significantly worse in elderly patients and in patients with co-morbidities and in patients more severely ill at ICU admission. Patients who died in the ICU and in hospital had worse QOLSS scores compared to those who survived. However, no statistical differences in QOLSS were found in relation to longer ICU stays (ICU LOS).

CONCLUSION

Preadmission QOL correlates with age and severity of illness. Patients with co-morbidities and those who died during ICU or hospital stay had worse QOLSS scores.

Quality of life after stay in surgical intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

In addition to mortality, Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) has increasingly been claimed as an important outcome variable. The aim of this study was to assess HRQOL and independence in activities of daily living (ADL) six months after discharge from an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and to study its determinants.

METHODS

All post-operative adult patients admitted to a surgical ICU between October 2004 and July 2005, were eligible for the study. The following variables were recorded on admission: age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA-PS), type and magnitude of surgical procedure, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), mortality and Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II). Six months after discharge, a Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36) and a questionnaire to assess dependency in ADL were sent to all survivors. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize data. Patient groups were compared using non-parametric tests. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify covariate effects of each variable on dependency in personal and instrumental ADL, and for the change-in-health question of SF-36.

RESULTS

Out of 333 hospital survivors, 226 completed the questionnaires. Fifty-nine percent reported that their general level of health was better on the day they answered the questionnaire than 12 months earlier. Patients with greater co-morbidities (ASA-PS III/IV), had lower SF-36 scores in all domains and were more frequently dependent in instrumental and personal ADL. Logistic regression showed that SAPS II was associated with changes in general level of health (OR 1.06, 95%CI, 1.01-1.11, p = 0,016). Six months after ICU discharge, 60% and 34% of patients, respectively, were dependent in at least one activity in instrumental ADL (ADLI) and personal ADL (ADLP). ASA-PS (OR 3.00, 95%CI 1.31-6.87, p = 0.009) and age (OR 2.36, 95%CI, 1.04-5.34, p = 0.04) were associated with dependency in ADLI. For ADLP, only ASA-PS (OR 4.58, 95%CI, 1.68-12.46, p = 0.003) was associated with higher dependency.

CONCLUSION

ASA-PS, age, type of surgery, ICU LOS and SAPS II could be seen as determinants of HRQOL.

[Limitation of therapeutic effort after ICU admission. Analysis of related factors]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the limitation of therapeutic effort (LTE) in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the variables associated with that decision.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study with a follow up of one year after discharge.

SETTING

ICU of a second level hospital.

PATIENTS

Four hundred and nine patients admitted during a two-year period.

MAIN VARIABLES

APACHE II, NEMS, SOFA, quality of life (PAEEC) and mortality.

RESULTS

LTE was performed in 49 (12%) patients. This decision was made by general agreement among the care team in 88% of cases and with the family in 73.5%. It was made on day 8 (4-20) with a SOFA score of 9 (4-13). Mortality in the LTE group was 69.4% in ICU, 92% in hospital, and 96% at 6 and 12 months. A logistic regression model showed that the variables associated with LTE were the following: NEMS score >or=30.7 (OR 12; 95% CI 3.7-39, p < 0.001), NEMS 26.6-30.6 (OR 8; 95% CI 2.5-25.6, p = 0.001), APACHE II > 30 (OR 7.6; 95% CI 2-29, p = 0.003), quality of life >or= 7 (OR 4.2; 95% CI 1.1-15, p = 0.03), age >or= 80 (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.4-9.5, p = 0.007) and medical patient condition (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.5-8, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

LTE is a common practice and is usually performed among the care team and the patient's surrogates. The main variables associated with LSC are those related to the severity of illness, previous quality of life, medical disease and patient's age.

A modified McCabe score for stratification of patients after intensive care unit discharge: the Sabadell score

INTRODUCTION

Mortality in the ward after an intensive care unit (ICU) stay is considered a quality parameter, and is described as a source of avoidable mortality. Additionally, the attending intensivist frequently anticipates fatal outcome after ICU discharge. Our objective was to test the ability of a new score to stratify patients according to ward mortality after ICU discharge.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was performed in the general ICU of a university-affiliated hospital. In 2003 and 2004 we prospectively recorded the attending intensivist's subjective prognosis at ICU discharge about the hospital outcome for each patient admitted to the ICU (the Sabadell score), which was later compared with the real hospital outcome.

RESULTS

We studied 1,521 patients with a mean age of 60.2 +/- 17.8 years. The median (25-75% percentile) ICU stay was five (three to nine) days. The ICU mortality was 23.8%, with 1,156 patients being discharged to the ward. Post-ICU ward mortality was 9.6%, mainly observed in patients with a Sabadell score of 3 (81.3%) or a score of 2 (41.1%), whereas lower mortality was observed in patients scoring 1 (17.2%) and scoring 0 (1.7%). Multivariate analysis selected age and the Sabadell score as the only variables associated with ward mortality, with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.88 (95% CI 0.84-0.93) for the Sabadell score.

CONCLUSION

The Sabadell score at ICU discharge works effectively to stratify patients according to hospital outcome.

Six-year mortality and quality of life in critically ill patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE

To study the mortality and quality of life (QOL) of survivors at 6 yrs after intensive care unit (ICU) admission for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

DESIGN

Prospective, multiple-center cohort study.

SETTING

A total of 86 ICUs throughout Spain.

PATIENTS

Patients in the Project for the Epidemiological Analysis of Critical Care Patients (PAEEC) project with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were included.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The sample comprised 742 patients; 508 of them were admitted for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 379 of these required intermittent positive-pressure ventilation. The mean age of the patients was 65.2 +/- 9.89 yrs, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score was 66.6 +/- 21.04; preadmission QOL questionnaire score was 7 +/- 4.82 points, and hospital mortality was 31.8%. At 6 yrs, 32.2% had died after hospital discharge, 21.6% could not be traced, and 107 patients were alive (18.3% of the 582 followed-up patients). QOL of survivors was worse than preadmission (6.55 +/- 5.6 vs. 4.92 +/- 4.5 points, p < .05), but 72% of patients were self-sufficient. Among the 379 patients admitted to the ICU for acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation and requiring intermittent positive-pressure ventilation, 36.7% died in the hospital; at 6 yrs after hospital discharge, 31.4% had died, 18.7% could not be traced, and 50 patients (16.2% of followed-up patients) were alive. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression showed that the mortality at 6 yrs was related to age (odds ratio, 1.046; 95% confidence interval, 1.023-1.071), APACHE III score (odds ratio, 1.013; 95% confidence interval, 1.001-1.024), and preadmission QOL score (odds ratio, 1.139; 95% confidence interval, 1.078-1.204).

CONCLUSION

The 6-yr mortality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring ICU admission is high. Mortality is mainly influenced by pre-ICU admission QOL. At 6 yrs, at least 15% are alive; survivors have a worse QOL compared with pre-ICU admission, although three quarters of them are self-sufficient.

Role of preexisting disease in patients' perceptions of health-related quality of life after intensive care

OBJECTIVES

To find out how patients perceive their health-related quality of life after they have been treated in an intensive care unit and whether preexisting disease influenced their perception.

DESIGN

: Follow-up, quantitative, dual-site study.

SETTING

Combined medical and surgical intensive care units of one university and one general hospital in Sweden.

PATIENTS

Among the 1,938 patients admitted, 562 were considered eligible (>24 hrs in the intensive care unit, and age >18 yrs). The effect of preexisting disease was assessed by use of a large reference group, a random sample (n = 10,000) of the main intake area of the hospitals.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

During 2000-2002, data were collected from the intensive care unit register and from a questionnaire mailed to the patients 6 months after their discharge from hospital. Subjects in the reference group were sent postal questionnaires during 1999. Of the patients in the intensive care unit group, 74% had preexisting diseases compared with 51% in the reference group. Six months after discharge, health-related quality of life was significantly lower among patients than in the reference group. When comparisons were restricted to the previously healthy people in both groups, the observed differences were about halved, and when we compared the patients in the intensive care unit who had preexisting diseases with subjects in the reference group who had similar diseases, we found little difference in perceived health-related quality of life. In some dimensions of health-related quality of life, we found no differences between patients in the intensive care unit and the subjects in the reference population.

CONCLUSIONS

Preexisting diseases significantly affect the extent of the decline of health-related quality of life after critical care, and this effect may have been underestimated in the past. As most patients who are admitted to an intensive care unit have at least one preexisting disease, it is important to account for these effects when examining outcome.

Transfusion in pediatrics

In reviewing the literature, the authors noted an important variation in stated and observed transfusion practice patterns among pediatric critical care practitioners, and in published guidelines on RBC transfusion. They also noted a paucity of clinical evidence with respect to RBC transfusion to critically ill children. There has been only one large randomized trial in adults, and the authors do not believe that the results from this trial should be generalized to critically ill children because of the many differences in children and their adaptive responses, and differences in disease processes. More research about anemia and RBC transfusion to critically ill children must be performed. The TRIPICU study is testing the safety of giving more or less RBC transfusion to stable critically ill children. Other studies must be done on the epidemiology and determinants of RBC transfusion in PICUs, on prevention of transfusion, and on alternatives to RBC transfusion (eg, erythropoietin).

Health-related quality of life of patients with multiple organ dysfunction: individual changes and comparison with normative population

OBJECTIVE

To determine health-related quality of life in medical intensive care patients with multiple organ dysfunction.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational study.

SETTING

A 12-bed, noncoronary, medical intensive care unit of a university hospital.

PATIENTS

Between June 1998 and May 1999, 318 consecutively admitted adult patients with an intensive care unit stay of >24 hrs were studied.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Health-related quality of life was assessed using a generic instrument, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey, at admission and at 6-month follow-up. Patients who developed multiple organ dysfunction (n = 170) consumed 85% of the therapeutic activity provided in the intensive care unit. Compared with age- and sex-adjusted general population controls, multiple organ dysfunction patients had a worse preadmission health-related quality of life than other intensive care unit patients, predominantly due to a higher burden of comorbid disease. In a multivariate analysis, multiple organ dysfunction was the only variable independently associated with deteriorated physical health domains at follow-up (odds ratio, 4.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-14.6; p =.015), but it had no impact on dimensions of mental health. Analyzing the impact of different organ system failures, respiratory failure (odds ratio, 4.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-10.3; p =.002) and acute renal failure (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-11.5; p =.05) increased the risk of deteriorated physical health at follow-up. No impact of the various organ system failures on mental health was noted. At 6-month follow-up, 83-90% of survivors had regained their previous health-related quality of life, and 94% were living at home with their families.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown that preadmission health-related quality of life of our medical, noncoronary patients was substantially reduced compared with a matched general population. This demonstrates the need to take prehospitalization health-related quality of life into account when examining the outcomes of intensive care unit survivors. Multiple organ dysfunction was the major determinant of poor physical health at follow-up, but it had no impact on mental health domains.

End-of-life decisions during intensive care treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

End-of-life decisions play an important role in the intensive care unit. This review discusses the most important studies on end-of-life decisions published from October 2001 to October 2002.

RECENT FINDINGS

Refusal of admission to the intensive care unit in itself is frequently an end-of-life decision. However, some patients survive rejection. The main end-of-life decisions during intensive care unit stay are withholding or withdrawal of therapy. Some patients have do-not-resuscitate orders on admittance to a unit. The effect of family participation and involvement of other caregivers in such decisions has been extensively studied. Such participation can lead to anxiety and depression in the family. A procedural guideline for decision making is of clinical interest. The background of physicians plays an important role. Terminal sedation and analgesia play an important role in execution of end-of-life decisions. During intensive care unit admission there is a continuous change in circumstances, which causes continuous differences in the wishes of the patients and relatives. The small contribution of the cost of the last days of life to total healthcare cost was reconfirmed.

SUMMARY

The new studies put emphasis on the facts that all care providers should participate in the decision and that communication with surrogates is of extreme importance. Many valid points from other medical fields also apply to the intensive care unit situation.

Simplified Acute Physiology Score III: a project for a new multidimensional tool for evaluating intensive care unit performance

The Simplified Acute Physiology Score III Outcomes Research Group is developing an international multidimensional instrument for the global evaluation of intensive care unit performance. Among its specific objectives are the update of a severity of illness index (Simplified Acute Physiology Score) with a mortality prediction equation, with the hindsight of recent years, and the creation or application of novel instruments in the areas of infections and cost-effectiveness. Some important measurements such as the quality of life and the satisfaction of patients and professionals are not included. A further aim is the achievement of international validation.

Recent innovations in intensive care unit risk-prediction models

During the past 20 years, ICU risk-prediction models have undergone significant development, validation, and refinement. Among the general ICU severity of illness scoring systems, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE), Mortality Prediction Model (MPM), and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) have become the most accepted and used. To risk-adjust patients with longer, more severe illnesses like sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome, several models of organ dysfunction or failure have become available, including the Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (MODS), the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and the Logistic Organ Dysfunction Score (LODS). Recent innovations in risk adjustment include automatic physiology and diagnostic variable retrieval and the use of artificial intelligence. These innovations have the potential of extending the uses of case-mix and severity-of-illness adjustment in the areas of clinical research, patient care, and administration. The challenges facing intensivists in the next few years are to further develop these models so that they can be used throughout the IUC stay to assess quality of care and to extend them to more specific patient groups such as the elderly and patients with chronic ICU courses.