Health-related quality of life measured with the EQ-5D-5L in critical care survivors: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and related factors in intensive care unit survivors one-12 months after discharge.

Research methodology/design: This cross-sectional survey included survivors who had been admitted to an intensive care unit for ≥48 hours.

Main outcome measures: HRQOL was measured using the EQ-5D-5L profile, which evaluates five dimensions of health (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) on five levels (no, slight, moderate, severe, and extreme problems), EQ-VAS (score range 0-100, 100 indicating best health) and EQ values (score range -0.066-1, 1 indicating best health). The factors influencing HRQOL were analyzed by Tobit regression.

Setting: Survivors treated in an intensive care unit at six institutions in Korea.

Results: Only 7.9% of the 534 participants had self-reported profiles of no health problems in all five dimensions. The proportion of participants with slight problems was highest in pain/discomfort with 85.0%. The proportion with severe problems was highest in usual activities with 21.7%, followed by mobility with 21.0%. The median and interquartile range of the EQ-VAS and EQ values were 60.00 (45.00 to 75.00) and 0.72 (0.52 to 0.80), respectively. Negative impact factors on HRQOL included older age, women, residing in a long term care facility, unemployment, emergency intensive care admission, and intensive care stay ≥ 7 days.

Conclusion: HRQOL among Korean intensive care survivors is low. The level of problems in physical dimensions is more severe than that in mental health dimensions. Early rehabilitation in the intensive care unit should be provided to facilitate long-term recovery.

Keywords: Intensive care unit; Mobility limitation; Quality of life; Survivor.