Health-related quality of life of ICU survivors: review of the literature

The importance of health-related quality of life (HRQL) as a relevant outcome measure for patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) management has only recently been recognized. A better understanding of how this expensive service affects the health and well-being of its survivors will allow nurses and other health care professionals to plan for and provide appropriate follow-up care. This paper contains a review of the theoretical basis for quality-of-life measures, discussion of some of the methodological issues, and examination of the findings from recent studies of the quality of life of ICU patients. Although not conclusive, the review identified that ICU survivors generally have poorer HRQL scores after a 6-12 month period of recovery than during their pre-admission period. This cohort also have lower HRQL than the age-adjusted general population. Despite this apparent poorer state of health, participants often claimed to be satisfied with their HRQL. Methodological weaknesses were evident in the studies reviewed, Challenges in terms of recruitment and retention of subjects, instrumentation and data collection became evident from this review. Continued research in this area is recommended and should address the weaknesses identified.