Health-related quality of life of COVID-19 two and 12 months after intensive care unit admission

COVID-19-related health utility values and changes in COVID-19 patients and the general population: a scoping review

PURPOSE

To summarise the diverse literature reporting the impact of COVID-19 on health utility in COVID-19 patients as well as in general populations being affected by COVID-19 control policies.

METHODS

A literature search up to April 2023 was conducted to identify papers reporting health utility in COVID-19 patients or in COVID-19-affected general populations. We present a narrative synthesis of the health utility values/losses of the retained studies to show the mean health utility values/losses with 95% confidence intervals. Mean utility values/losses for categories defined by medical attendance and data collection time were calculated using random-effects models.

RESULTS

In total, 98 studies-68 studies on COVID-19 patients and 30 studies on general populations-were retained for detailed review. Mean (95% CI) health utility values were 0.83 (0.81, 0.86), 0.78 (0.73, 0.83), 0.82 (0.78, 0.86) and 0.71 (0.65, 0.78) for general populations, non-hospitalised, hospitalised and ICU patients, respectively, irrespective of the data collection time. Mean utility losses in patients and general populations ranged from 0.03 to 0.34 and from 0.02 to 0.18, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review provides a summary of the health utility impact of COVID-19 and COVID-19 control policies. COVID-19-affected populations were reported to have poor health utility, while a high degree of heterogeneity was observed across studies. Population- and/or country-specific health utility is recommended for use in future economic evaluation on COVID-19-related interventions.

The effects of Chinese proprietary medicine and vaccination on patients with COVID-19: a retrospective study in Macao

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 is continuing to ravage globally and has resulted in a huge health and financial burden. Chinese proprietary medicines, such as Lianhua Qingwen (LHQW) and Huoxiang Zhengqi (HXZQ) capsules, have been recommended for non-high-risk patients with COVID-19 in China. Based on this, we described the baseline information, using status of LHQW and HXZQ capsules and inoculation history of quarantined patients in the second half of 2022 in Macao. Additionally, we analyzed the underlying association among medicines administration, vaccination and COVID-19 indices, in order to explore novel clues for the regular control and prevention of local epidemic situation in the future.

METHODS

A total of 976 patients in Macao quarantine hotels from June to August 2022 were included in the present study, of which, 857 subjects were followed-up for prognosis evaluation. During quarantine, the baseline demographic information, including sex, age, BMI, occupation and personal habits were collected. Additionally, the inoculation history, medicine employment status and cycle threshold (Ct) values were also reported. We interviewed the patients for collection of their symptoms at the beginning and end of quarantine, as well as prognostic ones. Basic statistical description of baseline information, vaccination history and medication were displayed. Chi-squared test or with continuous correction test was employed for comparison of dichotomous data between two or multiple groups. Binary logistic regression was applied to reveal the correlation between potential risk factors and Ct values or prognosis symptoms. We also used Cox regression model to identify the effect of different types of vaccine products on Ct value altering rate.

RESULTS

Patients who were female (52.0%), engaged in service industry (31.8%), from Macao native (65.8%), never took physical exercises (33.6%) and preferred irritated diet (59.5%) enjoyed more dominant proportions. Over 80% of participants were inoculated and 74.6% of them chose inactivated COVID-19 vaccine produced by China National Biotech Group (CNBG). Participants used LHQW capsules accounted for 92.1% and the duration of medicating lasted for one to two weeks. All of the reported symptoms were significantly ameliorated after quarantine and the duration of quarantine was concentrated on 21 days. People with different age, sex, occupation and region had different choices of HXZQ administration and vaccination. Additionally, middle dose (4-5 boxes) of LHQW capsules exhibited evidently negative association with positive Ct values (adjusted, - 0.037 ± 0.19, p = 0.04). Two doses of CNBG and one dose of mRNA vaccine had obvious protective effect on reducing Ct positive rate (p = 0.041). Meanwhile, symptoms after quarantine were significantly positive correlated with those in prognosis (adjusted, 1.38 ± 0.18, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Our study found that the administration of LHQW capsules was beneficial for Ct value turning negative, meanwhile, certain mixed inoculation may be the promoting factor to reduce the positive rate of Ct value. These findings provide data basis for the Chinese proprietary medicine treatment and mixed vaccination applying for prevention and control of local COVID-19 epidemic in the future.

Impact of COVID-19 critical illness on functional status, fatigue symptoms, and health-related quality of life one-year after hospital discharge: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence and severity of impairments in functional status, fatigue, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among critical COVID-19 survivors one-year after hospital discharge. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA statement and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021258356), with searches in eight databases. Observational studies were selected. The prevalence meta-analysis of abnormalities was performed using random-effects models. Risk of bias was evaluated using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute tool. Results: Twenty studies were included, with data collected between 12 and 13.5 months after hospital discharge and a total of 1828 participants. Of these, 71% were men, and 77.7% were intubated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Impairments and sequelae were identified in varying prevalence and degrees, with greater impact on functional capacity and physical components of fatigue and HRQoL. The prevalence of abnormalities of 32.3% [95% CI 23.9; 41.9] found in the meta-analysis is substantially high. Most studies were classified as having fair and poor quality. Conclusion: Critical COVID-19 survivors experience impairments in functional status, fatigue, and HRQoL to varying degrees one-year after hospital discharge, particularly among patients who stayed in the ICU and on MV for a prolonged period.

Return-to-Work Prevalence Among COVID-19 Patients After Receiving Intensive Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Returning to work can be a serious issue for patients who have undergone intensive care. Previous studies have reported a relatively low return-to-work prevalence among such patients. Some patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experience severe pneumonia and require intensive care, including mechanical ventilation. However, little is known about the return-to-work prevalence among such patients. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature describing the return-to-work prevalence among COVID-19 patients who received intensive care. The eligibility criteria were determined based on the medical condition, context, and population framework of each study, as follows: (1) full-text observational studies, (2) context: COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU, (3) condition: return-to-work prevalence after ICU discharge, and (4) population: critically ill patients who are 18 years and older. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Review articles, case reports, letters to the editor, and comments without data involving return-to-work prevalence were excluded. We searched the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE, via PubMed), the Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL, via EBSCOhost), and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) databases from their inception till July 26, 2022, and updated the search on June 14, 2023. Specifically, we collected studies reporting data on the return-to-work prevalence among COVID-19 patients after receiving intensive care. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Prevalence Studies. Pre-developed standard forms were used for data collection, and pooled prevalence for return-to-work was calculated. Out of the 2221 available records, 42 full texts were reviewed, 20 of which were included in the qualitative synthesis. The number of return-to-work cases reported at 0-3 months, 4-6 months, and 7-12 months were three, 11, and nine, respectively. At 0-3 months, the pooled prevalence was 0.49 (three trials; n = 73; 95% CI: 0.15-0.84; I2 = 82%). At 4-6 months, the pooled prevalence was 0.57 (11 trials; n = 900; 95% CI: 0.40-0.73; I2 = 92%). Finally, at 7-12 months, the pooled prevalence was 0.64 (nine trials; n = 281; 95% CI: 0.50-0.77; I2 = 80%). However, the overall quality of the included studies was low. Based on the results, approximately one-third of COVID-19 patients did not return to work 12 months after receiving intensive care. Given the quality and limitations of the studies, a more detailed and extensive cohort study is required; also, concerned authorities should implement adequate measures in terms of providing integrated job support for this patient population.

[The role of the cardiopulmonary exercise test and pulmonary rehabilitation in long COVID-19]

INTRODUCTION

Long COVID refers to persistent symptoms, lasting more than 4 weeks after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, even though the infection itself has been successfully controlled and remedied. Patient complaints are diverse, and the underlying physiopathological mechanisms are not well understood. Dyspnea and muscle fatigue are among the most commonly reported symptoms.

STATE OF THE ART

Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) has been recognized as a useful tool in investigation of unexplained dyspnea. In patients with chronic lung disease, pulmonary rehabilitation is a program designed to counteract dyspnea, to increase exercise capacity and to improve quality of life.

PERSPECTIVES

Publications on CPET and pulmonary rehabilitation are needed in order to deepen comprehension and enhance management of long-COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

CPET reports have shown that symptoms persisting in the aftermath of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection may be related to deconditioning, a common occurrence after ICU stay, to cardiac dysautonomia subsequent to critical infections and, finally, to dysfunctional breathing subsequent to mild infections. These findings justify pulmonary rehabilitation, which has proven to be effective regardless of the severity of the initial infection, not only immediately after hospital discharge, but also at later points in time.

Long-term outcome of COVID-19 patients treated with helmet noninvasive ventilation vs. high-flow nasal oxygen: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Long-term outcomes of patients treated with helmet noninvasive ventilation (NIV) are unknown: safety concerns regarding the risk of patient self-inflicted lung injury and delayed intubation exist when NIV is applied in hypoxemic patients. We assessed the 6-month outcome of patients who received helmet NIV or high-flow nasal oxygen for COVID-19 hypoxemic respiratory failure.

METHODS

In this prespecified analysis of a randomized trial of helmet NIV versus high-flow nasal oxygen (HENIVOT), clinical status, physical performance (6-min-walking-test and 30-s chair stand test), respiratory function and quality of life (EuroQoL five dimensions five levels questionnaire, EuroQoL VAS, SF36 and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the DSM) were evaluated 6 months after the enrollment.

RESULTS

Among 80 patients who were alive, 71 (89%) completed the follow-up: 35 had received helmet NIV, 36 high-flow oxygen. There was no inter-group difference in any item concerning vital signs (N = 4), physical performance (N = 18), respiratory function (N = 27), quality of life (N = 21) and laboratory tests (N = 15). Arthralgia was significantly lower in the helmet group (16% vs. 55%, p = 0.002). Fifty-two percent of patients in helmet group vs. 63% of patients in high-flow group had diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide < 80% of predicted (p = 0.44); 13% vs. 22% had forced vital capacity < 80% of predicted (p = 0.51). Both groups reported similar degree of pain (p = 0.81) and anxiety (p = 0.81) at the EQ-5D-5L test; the EQ-VAS score was similar in the two groups (p = 0.27). Compared to patients who successfully avoided invasive mechanical ventilation (54/71, 76%), intubated patients (17/71, 24%) had significantly worse pulmonary function (median diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide 66% [Interquartile range: 47-77] of predicted vs. 80% [71-88], p = 0.005) and decreased quality of life (EQ-VAS: 70 [53-70] vs. 80 [70-83], p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with COVID-19 hypoxemic respiratory failure, treatment with helmet NIV or high-flow oxygen yielded similar quality of life and functional outcome at 6 months. The need for invasive mechanical ventilation was associated with worse outcomes. These data indicate that helmet NIV, as applied in the HENIVOT trial, can be safely used in hypoxemic patients. Trial registration Registered on clinicaltrials.gov NCT04502576 on August 6, 2020.

The positive impact of COVID-19 on critical care: from unprecedented challenges to transformative changes, from the perspective of young intensivists

Over the past 2 years, SARS-CoV-2 infection has resulted in numerous hospitalizations and deaths worldwide. As young intensivists, we have been at the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and it has been an intense learning experience affecting all aspects of our specialty. Critical care was put forward as a priority and managed to adapt to the influx of patients and the growing demand for beds, financial and material resources, thereby highlighting its flexibility and central role in the healthcare system. Intensivists assumed an essential and unprecedented role in public life, which was important when claiming for indispensable material and human investments. Physicians and researchers around the world worked hand-in-hand to advance research and better manage this disease by integrating a rapidly growing body of evidence into guidelines. Our daily ethical practices and communication with families were challenged by the massive influx of patients and restricted visitation policies, forcing us to improve our collaboration with other specialties and innovate with new communication channels. However, the picture was not all bright, and some of these achievements are already fading over time despite the ongoing pandemic and hospital crisis. In addition, the pandemic has demonstrated the need to improve the working conditions and well-being of critical care workers to cope with the current shortage of human resources. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, we remain optimistic. In this ten-key points review, we outline our vision on how to capitalize on the lasting impact of the pandemic to face future challenges and foster transformative changes of critical care for the better.

Health-related quality-of-life during rehabilitation in patients with critical illness neuropathy/myopathy after severe coronavirus disease 2019

Our aim was to evaluate health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) of the patients with critical illness neuropathy and/or myopathy after severe COVID-19 during their rehabilitation. The prospective cohort study included 157 patients (median age 64 years) admitted to rehabilitation. HRQoL was assessed the using European Quality 5-Dimensions questionnaire [EQ-5D index , range 0(or exceptionally less) to 1, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), range 0-100], which was completed by the patients at admission and discharge. Additionally, they were assessed with the de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Median EQ-5D index was 0.32 and median EQ VAS was 48 at admission, and median EQ-5D index was 0.61 and median EQ VAS 80 at discharge. Some or extreme problems were reported by 154 (98%) patients regarding the mobility dimension, 151 (96%) regarding usual activities, 136 (87%) regarding self-care, 84 (54%) regarding pain or discomfort dimension, and 52 patients (34%) regarding anxiety or depression at admission. At discharge, some or extreme problems were still reported by 96 patients (61%) regarding mobility, 95 (61%) regarding usual activities, 70 patients (45%) regarding pain or discomfort, 46 (29%) regarding self-care, and 19 patients (12%) regarding anxiety or depression. At the same time, the patients exhibited significant improvements in the DEMMI (median increased from 41 to 67 points), 6MWT (from 60 to 293 m) and motor FIM (from 56 to 84 points). The improvement of the self-reported HRQoL was, thus, paralleled by the improvements in clinician-assessed mobility, walking endurance and functional independence.

Health-Related Quality of Life of COVID-19 Survivors Treated in Intensive Care Unit-Prospective Observational Study

Purpose: To investigate the quality of life (QoL) of survivors from severe forms of COVID-19 treated in the ICU. Methods: In this study, we investigated the QoL of patients with severe COVID-19 treated in the ICU from November 2021 to February 2022. In the study period, 288 patients were treated in ICU and 162 were alive at the time of analysis. Of those, 113 patients were included in this study. QoL was analyzed 4 months after ICU admission using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire administered by telephone. Results: Of the 162 surviving patients, 46% reported moderate to severe problems in the anxiety/depression domain, 37% had moderate to severe problems in usual activities, and 29% in the mobility domain. Older patients had lower QoL in mobility, self-care and usual activities domains. Female patients had lower QoL in usual activities, while male patients had lower QoL in the self-care domain. Patients who spent longer time on invasive respiratory support and those with longer hospital lengths of stay had lower QoL in all domains. Conclusion: Severe COVID-19 reduces HRQoL in a significant number of survivors 4 months after ICU admission. Early recognition of patients at increased risk for reduced QoL could lead to early focused rehabilitation and improved QoL of these patients.

COVID-19 does not influence functional status after ARDS therapy

RATIONALE

Health-related quality of life after surviving acute respiratory distress syndrome has come into focus in recent years, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES

A total of 144 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19 or of other origin were recruited in a randomized multicenter trial.

METHODS

Clinical data during intensive care treatment and data up to 180 days after study inclusion were collected. Changes in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score were used to quantify disease severity. Disability was assessed using the Barthel index on days 1, 28, 90, and 180.

MEASUREMENTS

Mortality rate and morbidity after 180 days were compared between patients with and without COVID-19. Independent risk factors associated with high disability were identified using a binary logistic regression.

MAIN RESULTS

The SOFA score at day 5 was an independent risk factor for high disability in both groups, and score dynamic within the first 5 days significantly impacted disability in the non-COVID group. Mortality after 180 days and impairment measured by the Barthel index did not differ between patients with and without COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

Resolution of organ dysfunction within the first 5 days significantly impacts long-term morbidity. Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19 was not associated with increased mortality or morbidity.

One-Year Mental and Physical Health Assessment in Survivors after Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for COVID-19-related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Rationale: Long-term outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are unknown. Objectives: To assess physical examination, pulmonary function tests, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and quality of life at 6 and 12 months after ECMO onset. Methods: Multicenter, prospective study in patients who received ECMO for COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome from March to June 2020 and survived hospital discharge. Measurements and Main Results: Of 80 eligible patients, 62 were enrolled in seven French ICUs. ECMO and invasive mechanical ventilation duration were 18 (11-25) and 36 (27-62) days, respectively. All were alive, but only 19/50 (38%) returned to work and 13/42 (31%) had recovered a normal sex drive at 1 year. Pulmonary function tests were almost normal at 6 months, except for Dl_CO, which was still impaired at 12 months. Mental health, role-emotional, and role-physical were the most impaired domain compared with patients receiving ECMO who did not have COVID-19. One year after ICU admission, 19/43 (44%) patients had significant anxiety, 18/43 (42%) had depression symptoms, and 21/50 (42%) were at risk for post-traumatic stress disorders. Conclusions: Despite the partial recovery of the lung function tests at 1 year, the physical and psychological function of this population remains impaired. Based on the comparison with long-term follow-up of patients receiving ECMO who did not have COVID-19, poor mental and physical health may be more related to COVID-19 than to ECMO in itself, although this needs confirmation.

Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Patients Treated with Single Infusion Tocilizumab for COVID-19: A Follow-up, Controlled Study

BACKGROUND

The inflammatory state that characterizes COVID-19 may contribute to depression, anxiety, other morbidities, and mortality. Interleukin-6 blocker tocilizumab has been used as a treatment modality in COVID-19 as an anti-inflammatory agent. Tocilizumab has also been studied for its potential use in preventing depression in other patient groups, with mixed results. This study was designed to study subsequent depression, anxiety, and quality of life (QOL) in patients treated with tocilizumab plus standard care versus standard care alone, for moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

METHODS

Patients admitted with moderate to severe COVID pneumonia, treated with tocilizumab plus standard treatment, and discharged from the hospital were identified. Age- and gender-matched controls who had received standard treatment alone for COVID-19 pneumonia during the same time frame were identified. After obtaining consent, these patients were followed up and assessed at 3 and 6 months on measures of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and QOL (EQ-5D-5L).

RESULTS

39 patients in the tocilizumab group and 41 in the control group were followed up at 3 and 6 months. Patients in both groups were comparable in sociodemographic and clinical parameters. The prevalence of clinically significant depression in the tocilizumab group at 3 and 6 months was 33.33% and 5.12%, respectively, whereas in control group it was 31.7% and 4.87%, respectively. Analysis of EQ-5D health profiles revealed that the maximum problems were reported in the dimension of mobility: 43.7% at 3 months and 35% at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Depressive and anxiety symptoms and impairment in QOL were reported more frequently and with greater severity in patients in the tocilizumab group at three months but not at six months. Psychological morbidity and impairment in QOL were modest and improved from 3 to 6 months.

One-Year Functional Decline in COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Critically Ill Survivors: A Prospective Study Incorporating a Pre-ICU Status Assessment

We aimed to describe the one-year (1-y) functional status of survivors of COVID-19 critical illness, compared to non-COVID-19 survivors, and compared to their pre-ICU status. Adults who survived a COVID-19 critical illness (COVID group) during the first two waves in 2 hospitals were contacted by phone 1-y after discharge. They were compared to non-COVID-19 ICU survivors. A standardized assessment focused on quality of life (EQ-5D-3L), autonomy for activities of daily living (Barthel Index), and physical activity quantification (IPAQ-SF). Patients rated their 1-y and pre-ICU status. We included 220 survivors (132 COVID and 88 NC). Their age and severity scores were similar. ICU stay was shorter in NC group (3 [3−6] d) than in COVID group (8 [4.2−16.7] d) (p = 0.001). Proportions of organ supports were similar in the two groups. At 1-y, a significant reduction in EQ-5D-3L total score, in Barthel Index and in physical activity was observed in both groups, compared to the respective baseline values. Dependency (Barthel < 100) was observed in at least 35% of survivors at 1-y. Independently of the critical illness, HRQoL, autonomy and physical activities at 1-y were still significantly inferior to the pre-ICU values.