“Post-Intensive Care” Syndrome in Patients After Abdominal Surgery – Pilot Study

Abstract

Aim. The retrospective observational study aimed to determine whether there is a defined syndrome after intensive care after less than 14 days of stay in the intensive care unit. Material and methods. Patients who stayed in the intensive care unit of the Clinical Hospital Center “Dr. Dragiša Mišović – Dedinje” in Belgrade during the May 2022 were examined. Data from the health information system and therapeutic lists were used, and the questionnaire on quality of life was filled out during telephone conversations with patients. In the end, the data were statistically processed. Results. Of 16 patients, the average stay in the intensive care unit was 4.7 days (from 2 to 10). In eight of them, a certain level of change in the general state of health was shown in the last year (which includes the period of hospitalization), and in two of them this change was significant. The general health was significantly impaired in four of them, primarily related to male sex, age and ASA status. In these four patients, the length of stay in the intensive care unit was eight days at maximum. Conclusion. The results of this pilot study indicate the occurrence of the syndrome after intensive treatment in our sample of patients. As the sample is small, more extensive studies are needed to confirm or refute the claim that even a stay shorter than 14 days in intensive care units can lead to a significant change in health status and the emergence of post-intensive care syndrome in critically ill patients.

Keywords

• CRITICAL ILLNESS
• REHABILITATION
• ANESTHESIA, GENERAL
• COMPLICATIONS