Quality of life in elderly ICU survivors before the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Objectives The influence of age on intensive care unit (ICU) decision-making is complex, and it is unclear if it is based on expected subjective or objective patient outcomes. To address recent concerns over age-based ICU decision-making, we explored patient-assessed quality of life (QoL) in ICU sur...

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Main Authors: Anthony S David, Kevin Ariyo, Sergio Canestrini, Gareth Owen, Alex Ruck Keene, Sebastian Wolfrum
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2021-10-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/10/e045086.full
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author Anthony S David
Kevin Ariyo
Sergio Canestrini
Gareth Owen
Alex Ruck Keene
Sebastian Wolfrum
author_facet Anthony S David
Kevin Ariyo
Sergio Canestrini
Gareth Owen
Alex Ruck Keene
Sebastian Wolfrum
author_sort Anthony S David
collection DOAJ
description Objectives The influence of age on intensive care unit (ICU) decision-making is complex, and it is unclear if it is based on expected subjective or objective patient outcomes. To address recent concerns over age-based ICU decision-making, we explored patient-assessed quality of life (QoL) in ICU survivors before the COVID-19 pandemic.Design A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies published between January 2000 and April 2020, of elderly patients admitted to ICUs.Primary and secondary outcome measures We extracted data on self-reported QoL (EQ-5D composite score), demographic and clinical variables. Using a random-effect meta-analysis, we then compared QoL scores at follow-up to scores either before admission, age-matched population controls or younger ICU survivors. We conducted sensitivity analyses to study heterogeneity and bias and a qualitative synthesis of subscores.Results We identified 2536 studies and included 22 for qualitative synthesis and 18 for meta-analysis (n=2326 elderly survivors). Elderly survivors’ QoL was significantly worse than younger ICU survivors, with a small-to-medium effect size (d=0.35 (−0.53 and −0.16)). Elderly survivors’ QoL was also significantly greater when measured slightly before ICU, compared with follow-up, with a small effect size (d=0.26 (−0.44 and −0.08)). Finally, their QoL was also marginally significantly worse than age-matched community controls, also with a small effect size (d=0.21 (−0.43 and 0.00)). Mortality rates and length of follow-up partly explained heterogeneity. Reductions in QoL seemed primarily due to physical health, rather than mental health items.Conclusions The results suggest that the proportionality of age as a determinant of ICU resource allocation should be kept under close review and that subjective QoL outcomes should inform person-centred decision -aking in elderly ICU patients.PROSPERO registration number CRD42020181181.
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spelling doaj-art-b5d4154b3a9b42cf9cd72e46c44c43842025-08-20T02:18:23ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552021-10-01111010.1136/bmjopen-2020-045086Quality of life in elderly ICU survivors before the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studiesAnthony S David0Kevin Ariyo1Sergio Canestrini2Gareth Owen3Alex Ruck Keene4Sebastian Wolfrum511 Institute of Mental Health, University College London, London, UKDepartment of Psychological Medicine, King`s College London, London, UKCritical Care, King`s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UKDepartment of Psychological Medicine, King`s College London, London, UKDepartment of Psychological Medicine, King`s College London, London, UKMedical Clinic II, Cardiology/Angiology/Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Lübeck, GermanyObjectives The influence of age on intensive care unit (ICU) decision-making is complex, and it is unclear if it is based on expected subjective or objective patient outcomes. To address recent concerns over age-based ICU decision-making, we explored patient-assessed quality of life (QoL) in ICU survivors before the COVID-19 pandemic.Design A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies published between January 2000 and April 2020, of elderly patients admitted to ICUs.Primary and secondary outcome measures We extracted data on self-reported QoL (EQ-5D composite score), demographic and clinical variables. Using a random-effect meta-analysis, we then compared QoL scores at follow-up to scores either before admission, age-matched population controls or younger ICU survivors. We conducted sensitivity analyses to study heterogeneity and bias and a qualitative synthesis of subscores.Results We identified 2536 studies and included 22 for qualitative synthesis and 18 for meta-analysis (n=2326 elderly survivors). Elderly survivors’ QoL was significantly worse than younger ICU survivors, with a small-to-medium effect size (d=0.35 (−0.53 and −0.16)). Elderly survivors’ QoL was also significantly greater when measured slightly before ICU, compared with follow-up, with a small effect size (d=0.26 (−0.44 and −0.08)). Finally, their QoL was also marginally significantly worse than age-matched community controls, also with a small effect size (d=0.21 (−0.43 and 0.00)). Mortality rates and length of follow-up partly explained heterogeneity. Reductions in QoL seemed primarily due to physical health, rather than mental health items.Conclusions The results suggest that the proportionality of age as a determinant of ICU resource allocation should be kept under close review and that subjective QoL outcomes should inform person-centred decision -aking in elderly ICU patients.PROSPERO registration number CRD42020181181.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/10/e045086.full
spellingShingle Anthony S David
Kevin Ariyo
Sergio Canestrini
Gareth Owen
Alex Ruck Keene
Sebastian Wolfrum
Quality of life in elderly ICU survivors before the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
BMJ Open
title Quality of life in elderly ICU survivors before the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_full Quality of life in elderly ICU survivors before the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_fullStr Quality of life in elderly ICU survivors before the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_full_unstemmed Quality of life in elderly ICU survivors before the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_short Quality of life in elderly ICU survivors before the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_sort quality of life in elderly icu survivors before the covid 19 pandemic a systematic review and meta analysis of cohort studies
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/10/e045086.full
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