Health-related quality of life, physical and mental capacity at one year follow up of COVID-19 ICU patients: A prospective cohort study
Abstract Purpose In 2020 as COVID-19 rapidly overwhelmed ICU resources, patient care capacity was reduced thus increasing the risk of development of post intensive care syndrome (PICS). Therefore, an increased incidence of survivors with neurocognitive and neuromuscular impairment could be anticipat...
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| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41687-025-00883-4 |
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| author | Anders Ersson Henrik Överengen Reuterborg Anestis Divanoglou Richard Levi Lotti Orwelius |
| author_facet | Anders Ersson Henrik Överengen Reuterborg Anestis Divanoglou Richard Levi Lotti Orwelius |
| author_sort | Anders Ersson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose In 2020 as COVID-19 rapidly overwhelmed ICU resources, patient care capacity was reduced thus increasing the risk of development of post intensive care syndrome (PICS). Therefore, an increased incidence of survivors with neurocognitive and neuromuscular impairment could be anticipated. This study aimed to describe residual reductions in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and risk factors for PICS as they pertain to outcomes one year after intensive care. Patients and Methods Between 01-03-2020 and 31-08-2020, all adult COVID-19 ICU patients discharged alive in two Swedish ICU were included. At 2-, 6- and, 12-months post discharge follow up was conducted. Primary outcome parameters were HRQoL up to 12-months after ICU discharge. Secondary outcome parameters were clinimetric results for physical, mental, and cognitive functions at 6 months after intensive care stay. Results Data from 41 patients were analyzed. Fatigue, anxiety, respiratory impairments, and experienced decline in physical stamina were the dominating findings at 6 months. Criteria for PICS were fulfilled in 93% of the study population and a 60% reduction in overall HRQoL, compared with a normal age adjusted population, was seen at follow up. A slight improvement was seen at 6 months whereafter no further significant improvement in HRQoL was detected. Fatigue was the most dominant complaint, expressed by almost all patients at follow up. Conclusion Long term outcome reported in this study showed longstanding impairment in HRQoL, mostly related to reduced well-being and perceived limitations in physical ability. Overall, our findings show similarities with previously reported recovery patterns after intensive care. However, the COVID-19 cohort displayed a more profound reduction in HRQoL paralleled with severe fatigue and respiratory limitations. This signals the need for a deeper understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of COVID-19 induced residual impairments and more precise instruments to tailor an individually designed aftercare. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6b6ada99ea534fb2b2ad80a9336a037d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2509-8020 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes |
| spelling | doaj-art-6b6ada99ea534fb2b2ad80a9336a037d2025-08-20T03:10:13ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Patient-Reported Outcomes2509-80202025-05-019111110.1186/s41687-025-00883-4Health-related quality of life, physical and mental capacity at one year follow up of COVID-19 ICU patients: A prospective cohort studyAnders Ersson0Henrik Överengen Reuterborg1Anestis Divanoglou2Richard Levi3Lotti Orwelius4Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Nyköping HospitalDepartment of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Nyköping HospitalDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping UniversityDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping UniversityAbstract Purpose In 2020 as COVID-19 rapidly overwhelmed ICU resources, patient care capacity was reduced thus increasing the risk of development of post intensive care syndrome (PICS). Therefore, an increased incidence of survivors with neurocognitive and neuromuscular impairment could be anticipated. This study aimed to describe residual reductions in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and risk factors for PICS as they pertain to outcomes one year after intensive care. Patients and Methods Between 01-03-2020 and 31-08-2020, all adult COVID-19 ICU patients discharged alive in two Swedish ICU were included. At 2-, 6- and, 12-months post discharge follow up was conducted. Primary outcome parameters were HRQoL up to 12-months after ICU discharge. Secondary outcome parameters were clinimetric results for physical, mental, and cognitive functions at 6 months after intensive care stay. Results Data from 41 patients were analyzed. Fatigue, anxiety, respiratory impairments, and experienced decline in physical stamina were the dominating findings at 6 months. Criteria for PICS were fulfilled in 93% of the study population and a 60% reduction in overall HRQoL, compared with a normal age adjusted population, was seen at follow up. A slight improvement was seen at 6 months whereafter no further significant improvement in HRQoL was detected. Fatigue was the most dominant complaint, expressed by almost all patients at follow up. Conclusion Long term outcome reported in this study showed longstanding impairment in HRQoL, mostly related to reduced well-being and perceived limitations in physical ability. Overall, our findings show similarities with previously reported recovery patterns after intensive care. However, the COVID-19 cohort displayed a more profound reduction in HRQoL paralleled with severe fatigue and respiratory limitations. This signals the need for a deeper understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of COVID-19 induced residual impairments and more precise instruments to tailor an individually designed aftercare.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41687-025-00883-4Critical careLongitudinal analysisPatient-reported outcomesQuality of lifeCOVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Anders Ersson Henrik Överengen Reuterborg Anestis Divanoglou Richard Levi Lotti Orwelius Health-related quality of life, physical and mental capacity at one year follow up of COVID-19 ICU patients: A prospective cohort study Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes Critical care Longitudinal analysis Patient-reported outcomes Quality of life COVID-19 |
| title | Health-related quality of life, physical and mental capacity at one year follow up of COVID-19 ICU patients: A prospective cohort study |
| title_full | Health-related quality of life, physical and mental capacity at one year follow up of COVID-19 ICU patients: A prospective cohort study |
| title_fullStr | Health-related quality of life, physical and mental capacity at one year follow up of COVID-19 ICU patients: A prospective cohort study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Health-related quality of life, physical and mental capacity at one year follow up of COVID-19 ICU patients: A prospective cohort study |
| title_short | Health-related quality of life, physical and mental capacity at one year follow up of COVID-19 ICU patients: A prospective cohort study |
| title_sort | health related quality of life physical and mental capacity at one year follow up of covid 19 icu patients a prospective cohort study |
| topic | Critical care Longitudinal analysis Patient-reported outcomes Quality of life COVID-19 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41687-025-00883-4 |
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