Long-Term Quality of Life Among Intensive Care Units Survivors

Hassan Y Aljohani,1– 3 Naif A Albarak,1,2 Talal A Alanazi,1,2 Muhnad A Alabdulsalam,1,2 Rayan A Alzahrani,1,2 Saleh S Algarni,1– 3 Tareq F Alotaibi,1– 3 Mohammed M Alqahtani,1– 3 Mobarak K Alqahtani,1– 3 Taha T Ismaeil,1– 3 Lafi H Olayan2,4 1Department of Respiratory Therapy, King Saud bin Abdulaziz...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Aljohani HY, Albarak NA, Alanazi TA, Alabdulsalam MA, Alzahrani RA, Algarni SS, Alotaibi TF, Alqahtani MM, Alqahtani MK, Ismaeil TT, Olayan LH
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-06-01
Series:Risk Management and Healthcare Policy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/long-term-quality-of-life-among-intensive-care-units-survivors-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-RMHP
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Hassan Y Aljohani,1– 3 Naif A Albarak,1,2 Talal A Alanazi,1,2 Muhnad A Alabdulsalam,1,2 Rayan A Alzahrani,1,2 Saleh S Algarni,1– 3 Tareq F Alotaibi,1– 3 Mohammed M Alqahtani,1– 3 Mobarak K Alqahtani,1– 3 Taha T Ismaeil,1– 3 Lafi H Olayan2,4 1Department of Respiratory Therapy, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre (KAIMRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Respiratory Care Services, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Anesthesia Technology, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Hassan Y Aljohani, Email abunurah@ksau-hs.edu.saBackground: The long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors is a key concern. This study investigates HRQoL among ICU survivors in Saudi Arabia, highlighting its importance for advancing healthcare and improving outcomes.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among ICU survivors and a control healthy group. Participants were aged ≥ 18 years, with ICU survivors discharged for at least six months excluding individuals with severe cognitive impairments or mental illness. The SF-36 questionnaire assessed HRQoL across eight domains, with data collected from a tertiary hospital in Riyadh. Statistical analysis included the Mann–Whitney U-test, the Fisher exact, and multiple linear regression.Results: Data from 151 ICU survivors and 181 controls were analyzed. Chronic diseases were more common among ICU survivors (51.7% vs 23.8%, p=0.00). Independent of chronic diseases, ICU survivors had significantly lower scores in HRQoL. Prolonged ICU stays were associated with worse quality outcomes. Additionally, being discharged for ≥ seven months improved general health (p=0.05). ICU survivors displayed notably lower scores in physical functioning (65 [IQR 55] vs 80 [IQR 45], p=0.00), limitations due to physical health (25 [IQR 100] vs 100 [IQR 75], p=0.00), limitations due to emotional problems (33.33 [IQR 100] vs 66.67 [IQR 100], p=0.00), less social functioning (62.5 [IQR 50] vs 75 [IQR 38], p=7.00), more pain 67.5 [IQR 45] vs 80 [IQR 33] (p=0.00), and general health (55 [IQR 25] vs 65 [IQR 23], p=0.00).Conclusion: ICU survivors experience significant HRQoL impairments exacerbated by prolonged ICU stays, highlighting the need for early and comprehensive rehabilitation services. The low utilization of these rehabilitation services suggests a need to provide access and quality for tailored early rehabilitation services to improve ICU survivors’ long-term HRQoL.Keywords: intensive care unit, survivors, Saudi Arabia, quality of life, post-intensive care syndrome
ISSN:1179-1594