• Andrea V Das Neves, Daniela N Vasquez, Cecilia I Loudet, Dante Intile, María Gabriela Sáenz, Cecilia Marchena, Ana L Gonzalez, Joaquin Moreira, Rosa Reina, and Elisa Estenssoro.
• Servicio de Terapia Intensiva, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos San Martin de La Plata 1 y 70, 1900 La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• J Crit Care. 2015 Jun 3.

PurposeOur goal was to describe the evolution of selected physical and psychologic symptoms and identify the determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.MethodsThe study is a prospective cohort of consecutive adult patients admitted to a mixed ICU in a university-affiliated hospital, mechanically ventilated for more than 48 hours. During ICU stay, epidemiological data and events probably associated to worsening outcomes were recorded. After discharge, patients were interviewed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Health-related quality of life was assessed with EuroQoL Questionnaire-5 Dimensions, which includes the EQ-index and EQ-Visual Analogue Scale.ResultsOne hundred twelve patients were followed up, aged 33 [24-49] years, 68% male, 76% previously healthy, and cranial trauma was the main diagnosis. Physical and psychologic symptoms and moderate/severe problems according to the EQ index progressively decreased after discharge, yet were still highly prevalent after 1 year. EQ index improved from 0.22 [0.01-0.69] to 0.52 [0.08-0.81], 0.66 [0.17-0.79], and 0.68 [0.26-0.86] (P < .001, for all vs month 1). EQ-Visual Analogue Scale remained stable, within acceptable values. Independent determinants of EQ-index were time, duration of mechanical ventilation, shock, weakness, and return to study/work.ConclusionsDeterminants of HRQOL after ICU discharge were both related to late sequelae of critical illness and to some events occurring in the ICU. Notwithstanding the high symptom burden, patients still perceived their HRQOL as good.Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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