Health-related quality of life of patients 12 months following surgical intensive care discharge

Abstract

Health related quality of life (HRQoL) and the effect of selected socio-demographic and clinical intensive care variables on HRQoL of patients 12 months following adult surgical intensive care unit discharge in the Western Cape was evaluated. A prospective observational study was conducted. The sample comprised 46 patients who had survived 12 months following discharge. Structured telephonic interviews were conducted using a self-developed and SF-36v2 HRQoL questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Stastica 7 and values were accepted as significant at the 5% level. Low mean HRQoL domain scores (43% - 53%) were found implying a poor HRQoL outcome. Physical functioning [43.5%], Role Play [44.5%] and Role Emotion [43.1%] scores were specifically lower than the other HRQoL domain scores. Age and severity of illness scores (APACHE II) were significantly associated with the social functioning (p=0.01) and physical functioning (p=0.02) scores respectively. APACHE II may be a useful contributor in predicting long-term physical functioning outcomes in patients following surgical ICU discharge. The HRQoL outcomes are slightly lower than that found for inter-national ICU populations however responses in the domains affected are comparable. Low physical functioning, role play and role emotion scores indicate a need for further physical and emotional rehabilitation following surgical ICU discharge.

Keywords

• health related quality of life
• short form-36 version 2, surgical intensive care, Western Cape