Quality of life of survivors from severe sepsis and septic shock may be similar to that of others who survive critical illness

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2004

Authors

Granja C (Author) Other; Dias C (Author) Other; Costa-Pereira A (Author) FMUP; Sarmento A (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Critical Care

Vol. 8

Pages: R91-R98

ISSN: 1364-8535

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 86 Citations

Scopus - 94 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-AXE

DOI: 10.1186/cc2818

Abstract (EN): Introduction The objective of the present study was to compare the health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) of survivors from severe sepsis and septic shock with HR-QoL in others who survived critical illness not involving sepsis. Methods From March 1997 to March 2001, adult patients in an eight-bed medical/surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital admitted with severe sepsis or septic shock ( sepsis group; n = 305) were enrolled and compared with patients admitted without sepsis ( control group; n = 392). Patients younger than 18 years ( n = 48) and those whose ICU stay was 1 day or less ( n = 453) were excluded. In addition, patients exhibiting nonsevere sepsis on admission were excluded ( n = 87). Finally, patients who developed nonsevere sepsis or severe sepsis/septic shock after admission were also excluded ( n = 88). Results In-hospital mortality rates were 34% in the sepsis group and 26% in the control group. There were no differences in sex, age, main activity ( work status), and previous health state between groups. Survivors in the sepsis group had a significantly higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score on admission ( 17 versus 12) and stayed significantly longer in the ICU. A follow-up appointment was held 6 months after ICU discharge, and an EQ-5D (EuroQol five-dimension) questionnaire was administered. A total of 104 sepsis survivors and 133 survivors in the control group answered the EQ-5D questionnaire. Sepsis survivors reported significantly fewer problems only in the anxiety/depression dimension. Although there were no significant differences in the other dimensions of the EQ-5D, there was a trend towards fewer problems being reported by sepsis survivors. Conclusion Evaluation using the EQ-5D at 6 months after ICU discharge indicated that survivors from severe sepsis and septic shock have a similar HR-QoL to that of survivors from critical illness admitted without sepsis.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8