[Quality of life after long-term surgical intensive care treatment]

Long-term treatment in surgical intensive care units (SICU) subjects the patient to a high degree of somatic, psychological, and social stress. The aim of this study was to determine their outcome in terms of quality of life and health status.

All patients from a 4-year period in a SICU with a length of stay (LOS) of 30 days or more were included. All survivors were interviewed and examined after 35 +/- 14 months; they also completed several questionnaires (Munich Inventory for Quality of Life and Health Status, POMS, and Spitzer Quality of Life Index).

One hundred one patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and 46 survived until follow-up. Forty-one (89%) could be traced and examined. Male:female ratio was 31:10, age 42 +/- 17 years, and LOS 51 +/- 19 days, Diagnoses on admittance were multiple trauma (n = 32) and other (n = 9). When classifying patients according to physical impairment, one third each showed no, mediocre, or severe limitations. Subjective appraisal of quality of life and well-being was sufficient for about half the patients in every test. Trauma victims experienced more severe impairment of quality of life. There were no differences between sex, age, or time until follow-up.

After prolonged SICU treatment, about half of the patients report limitations in their quality of life as a result of their illness and the subsequent treatment. Some patients, in particular after trauma, exhibit striking psychosocial problems despite satisfactory somatic treatment results. These problems can be positively addressed in rehabilitative efforts.