Functional disability 5 years after acute respiratory distress syndrome

N Engl J Med. 2011 Apr 7;364(14):1293-304. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1011802.

Abstract

Background: There have been few detailed, in-person interviews and examinations to obtain follow-up data on 5-year outcomes among survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: We evaluated 109 survivors of ARDS at 3, 6, and 12 months and at 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after discharge from the intensive care unit. At each visit, patients were interviewed and examined; underwent pulmonary-function tests, the 6-minute walk test, resting and exercise oximetry, chest imaging, and a quality-of-life evaluation; and reported their use of health care services.

Results: At 5 years, the median 6-minute walk distance was 436 m (76% of predicted distance) and the Physical Component Score on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey was 41 (mean norm score matched for age and sex, 50). With respect to this score, younger patients had a greater rate of recovery than older patients, but neither group returned to normal predicted levels of physical function at 5 years. Pulmonary function was normal to near-normal. A constellation of other physical and psychological problems developed or persisted in patients and family caregivers for up to 5 years. Patients with more coexisting illnesses incurred greater 5-year costs.

Conclusions: Exercise limitation, physical and psychological sequelae, decreased physical quality of life, and increased costs and use of health care services are important legacies of severe lung injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Adult
  • Disabled Persons*
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Lung / physiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life*
  • Recovery of Function
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / complications*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / psychology
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Survivors / psychology
  • Walking
  • Work