Joblessness and Lost Earnings after Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a 1-Year National Multicenter Study

Depression and mortality among survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome in South Korea: A nationwide cohort study conducted from 2010 to 2018

It has been reported that survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) experience depression. However, the relationship between newly developed depression and mortality among survivors of ARDS has not been elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of depression among survivors of ARDS and determine whether newly developed depression is associated with long-term mortality among them. The data used for this study were extracted from the national health insurance database of South Korea. All adult patients who were admitted into intensive care units for ARDS between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2018, and survived for ≥1 year after treatment were defined as ARDS survivors and included in this study. A total of 4,452 ARDS survivors were included in the final analysis. Of these, 581 (13.4%) were newly diagnosed with depression within 1 year after ARDS diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression showed that underlying anxiety disorder (odds ratio [OR], 2.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.93-2.86; P < 0.001), substance abuse (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.48-3.20; P < 0.001), and post-traumatic stress disorder (OR, 15.52; 95% CI, 2.57-93.51; P = 0.003) were associated with a higher prevalence of post-ARDS depression among survivors. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that post-ARDS depression was associated with a 1.49-fold increased risk of 2-year all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.18-1.88; P = 0.001). Underlying psychiatric illness is a potential risk factor for the development of depression among ARDS survivors. Post-ARDS depression is associated with an increased risk of 2-year all-cause mortality.

Long-Term Outcomes in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Epidemiology, Mechanisms, and Patient Evaluation

Survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) experience challenges that persist well beyond the time of hospital discharge. Impairment in physical function, cognitive function, and mental health are common and may last for years. The current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is drastically increasing the incidence of ARDS worldwide, and long-term impairments will remain lasting effects of the pandemic. Evaluation of the ARDS survivor should be comprehensive, and common domains of impairment that have emerged from long-term outcomes research over the past 2 decades should be systematically evaluated.

Interleukin-22 mitigates acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to determine if IL-22:Fc would Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

No therapies exist for ARDS and treatment is purely supportive. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) plays an integral component in recovery of the lung from infection. IL-22:Fc is a recombinant protein with a human FC immunoglobulin that increases the half-life of IL-22.

STUDY DESIGN

ARDS was induced in C57BL/6 mice with intra-tracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a dose of 33.3 or 100 ug. In the low-dose LPS group (LDG), IL-22:FC was administered via tail vein injection at 30 minutes (n = 9) and compared to sham (n = 9). In the high-dose LPS group (HDG), IL-22:FC was administered (n = 11) then compared to sham (n = 8). Euthanasia occurred after bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) on post-injury day 4.

RESULTS

In the LDG, IL-22:FC resulted in decreased protein leak (0.15 vs. 0.25 ug/uL, p = 0.02). BAL protein in animals receiving IL-22:Fc in the HDG was not different. For the HDG, animals receiving IL-22:Fc had lower BAL cell counts (539,636 vs 3,147,556 cells/uL, p = 0.02). For the HDG, IL-6 (110.6 vs. 527.1 pg/mL, p = 0.04), TNF-α (5.87 vs. 25.41 pg/mL, p = 0.04), and G-CSF (95.14 vs. 659.6, p = 0.01) levels were lower in the BAL fluid of IL-22:Fc treated animals compared to sham.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-22:Fc decreases lung inflammation and lung capillary leak in ARDS. IL-22:Fc may be a novel therapy for ARDS.

The Cost of ARDS: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

ARDS is an inflammatory condition of the lungs and is a common condition in adult ICUs. The resources required and costs of care for patients with ARDS are significant because of the severity of the illness and extended ICU lengths of stay.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the costs associated with ARDS?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We systematically searched the literature through April 29, 2021, for articles relevant to ARDS and costs. MEDLINE, Embase, Central, and EconLit databases were searched, and articles that reported on cost data from an original publication in adult patients with ARDS were included. Two authors independently assessed articles for inclusion and extracted data elements related to costs, methodology, health-care system type, economic perspective, and clinical data. Publication quality was assessed using a modified version of the Quality of Health Economic Studies Instrument.

RESULTS

Four thousand six hundred sixty-three publications were found, of which 110 were included for full-text review (κ = 0.72). A total of 22 publications (49,483 patients) were suitable for data extraction. The publications represented a broad range of health-care systems, economic perspectives, costing methodology, and time frames. Mean inpatient costs ranged from $8,476 (2021 US dollars [USD]) to $547,974 (2021 USD) and were highest in publications of lower quality and in American health systems and were associated with trauma cohorts. Outpatient costs were highest in publications with higher readmission rates, longer durations of follow-up, and in American health systems.

INTERPRETATION

A wide range of costing data is available for ARDS. A comprehensive synthesis of this literature frames the reasons for this and allows estimates to reflect the context in which they were assessed. This information will be of value to researchers and administrators interested in the economics of caring for patients with ARDS.

TRIAL REGISTRY

PROSPERO; No.: CRD42020192487.

Association of Job Characteristics and Functional Impairments on Return to Work After ARDS

BACKGROUND

Joblessness is common after ARDS, but related risk factors are not fully understood.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the association between survivors' pre-ARDS workload and post-ARDS functional impairment, pain, and fatigue with their return to work (RTW) status?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The U.S. Occupational Information Network (O∗NET) was used to determine pre-ARDS workload for participants in the ARDS Network Long-Term Outcomes Study (ALTOS). Post-ARDS functional impairment was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and SF-36 Physical Functioning, Social Functioning, and Mental Health sub-scales, and categorized as either no impairments, only psychosocial impairment, physical with low psychosocial impairment, or physical with high psychosocial impairment. Post-ARDS pain and fatigue were assessed using the SF-36 pain item and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale fatigue scale, respectively. Generalized linear mixed modeling methods were used to evaluate associations among pre-ARDS workload, post-ARDS functional impairment, and symptoms of pain and fatigue with post-ARDS RTW.

RESULTS

Pre-ARDS workload was not associated with post-ARDS RTW. However, as compared with survivors with no functional impairment, those with only psychosocial impairment (OR [CI]: 0.18 [0.06-0.50]), as well as physical impairment plus either low psychosocial impairment (0.08 [0.03-0.22]) or high psychosocial impairment (0.01 [0.003-0.05]) had lower odds of working. Pain (0.06 [0.03-0.14]) and fatigue (0.07 [0.03-0.16]) were also negatively associated with RTW.

INTERPRETATION

For previously employed survivors of ARDS, post-ARDS psychosocial and physical impairments, pain, and fatigue were negatively associated with RTW, whereas pre-ARDS workload was not associated. These findings are important for designing and implementing vocational interventions for ARDS survivors.

The future of acute and emergency care

Improved outcomes for acutely unwell patients are predicated on early identification of deterioration, accelerating the time to accurate diagnosis of the underlying condition, selection and titration of treatments that target biological phenotypes, and personalised endpoints to achieve optimal benefit yet minimise iatrogenic harm. Technological developments entering routine clinical practice over the next decade will deliver a sea change in patient management. Enhanced point of care diagnostics, more sophisticated physiological and biochemical monitoring with superior analytics and computer-aided support tools will all add considerable artificial intelligence to complement clinical skills. Experts in different fields of emergency and critical care medicine offer their perspectives as to which research developments could make a big difference within the next decade.

Long-term mortality associated with depression among South Korean survivors of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

INTRODUCTION

Depression is an important sequela in critically ill patients. However, its prevalence after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy and its association with long-term mortality remain controversial.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the South Korean National Health Insurance Service database in this population-based cohort study. Adults who received ECMO therapy from 2006 to 2014 were included. Survivors of ECMO were defined as patients who underwent ECMO and survived over 365 days after the initiation of ECMO therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 3,055 survivors of ECMO were included in the final analysis. They were classified into the pre-ECMO depression group (n = 275 [9.0%]), post-ECMO depression group (n = 331 [10.8%]), and other ECMO survivor group. In the multivariable Cox regression model, a 1.52-fold higher mortality was observed in the post-ECMO depression group than in the other groups (hazard ratio, 1.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-1.96; p = .002). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the pre-ECMO depression group and the other groups (p = .075).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of pre- and post-ECMO depression was 9.0% and 10.8%, respectively. Additionally, post-ECMO depression was associated with an increased 5 year all-cause mortality; however, pre-ECMO depression was not.

[Post-intensive care syndrome]

Post-intensive care syndrome is an entity defined in 2010 and covering any sequelae following an extended hospitalization in intensive care unit. It comprises psychological, cognitive and physical disorders (neuromyopathy, respiratory dysfunction, joint stiffness, among others). These sequelae have important consequences on autonomy and quality of life of these patients, as well as on their healthcare consumption and on mortality. Psychological sequelae can also be seen in hospitalized patients' relatives. Screening and management of these disorders is more and more frequent but no method has formally proven effective. The number of patients surviving an intensive care unit hospitalization is increasing, and management of post-intensive care syndrome is a major issue. It seems important that the internist be aware of this syndrome, given his pivotal role in global management of patients and frequent implication into care after the intensive care unit.

Return to Work After Coronavirus Disease 2019 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Intensive Care Admission: Prospective, Case Series at 6 Months From Hospital Discharge

Joblessness is common in survivors from critical care. Our aim was to describe rates of return to work versus unemployment following coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring intensive care admission.

Reduced quality of life in ICU survivors - the story behind the numbers: A mixed methods study

PURPOSE

To gain insight into the daily functioning of ICU survivors who reported a reduced quality of life (QoL) one year after ICU admission.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A two-phase mixed method study design. QoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire before admission and after one year (Phase 1). Participants reporting a reduced QoL were invited for an in-depth interview (Phase 2). Interview data were coded thematically using the PROMIS framework.

RESULTS

Of the 797 participants, 173 (22%) reported a reduced QoL, of which 19 purposively selected patients were interviewed. In line with their questionnaire scores, most participants described their QoL as reduced. They suffered from physical, mental and/or cognitive problems, impacting their daily life, restricting hobbies, work, and social activities. A new balance in life, including relationships, had to be found. Some interviewees experienced no changes in their QoL; they were grateful for being alive, set new life priorities, and were able to accept their life with its limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduction in QoL is due to physical, mental, and cognitive health problems, restricting participants what they want to do. However, QoL was not only affected by the critical illness, but also by factors including independency, comorbidity, and life events. Registration: NCT03246334 (clinical trials.gov).

COVID-19: the importance of physical therapy in the recovery of workers' health

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is likely to have a major impact on society and the economy since the illness is currently infecting a significant number of active workers in the industry and service sectors. The illness can have long-term consequences for patients, affecting their functional capacity and, consequently, their occupational performance. This study analyzed the effects of COVID-19 on occupational health, with a focus on the importance of physical therapy in rehabilitation. An integrative literature review was conducted based on articles retrieved from the PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases using the following keywords: COVID-19, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and occupational health. The search retrieved 1,308 studies, 15 of which met inclusion criteria for the review. A thorough assessment of the articles revealed four topics that corresponded to the results of this study: 1) effects of COVID-19 on occupational health; 2) physical therapy in mild and moderate cases without hospitalization; 3) physical therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19; 4) physical therapy in post-intensive care unit (ICU) recovery and after hospital discharge. The findings showed that COVID-19 can affect several physiological systems and have both short- and long-term effects on patients, including physical and psychological impairments. Physical therapists must be involved in the battle against this illness to help patients recover their physical function and return to work as quickly, safely, and effectively as possible.

Physical and Cognitive Training to Enhance Intensive Care Unit Survivors' Cognition: A Mapping Review

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to examine current literature regarding effects of physical or cognitive training and simultaneous (dual-task) physical and cognitive training on cognition in adults surviving an intensive care unit (ICU) stay.

DESIGN

Systematic mapping.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted to examine effects of physical and/or cognitive training on cognitive processes.

RESULTS

Few studies targeted adults surviving ICU. Independently, physical and cognitive interventions improved cognition in healthy older adults with and without cognitive impairment. Simultaneous interventions may improve executive function. Small sample size and heterogeneity of interventions limited the ability to make inferences.

CONCLUSION

Literature supports positive effects of single- and dual-task training on recovering cognition in adults. This training could benefit ICU survivors who need to regain cognitive function and prevent future decline.

RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE

With the growing number of ICU survivors experiencing cognitive deficits, it is essential to develop and test interventions that restore cognitive function in this understudied population.

Quality of Life and Long-Term Mortality Among Survivors of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Nationwide Cohort Study in South Korea

OBJECTIVES

The quality of life after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy has emerged as an important issue for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survival; however, its association with long-term prognosis has not been identified. We investigated the changes in the quality of life after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation among the survivors and examine the association between a worse quality of life and 3-year all-cause mortality.

DESIGN

This was a population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service database in South Korea.

PATIENTS

Adult individuals (≥ 18 yr old) who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy from 2006 to 2017 were included. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors were defined as patients who had survived for 1-year after the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The income level, employment status, and registered disability were examined before and 1-year after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. The decreased income level, job loss, and newly acquired disability were considered as change in the quality of life among extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors. A total of 5,821 adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors were included in the final analysis, and 2,959 patients (50.8%) experienced quality of life change. Specifically, 1,782 patients (30.6%) experienced a decrease in income, 682 (11.7%) lost their jobs, and 1,540 (26.5%) had a new disability within 1-year after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. In the multivariable Cox regression model, newly acquired disability was associated with 2.31-fold higher 3-year all-cause mortality among extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors (hazard ratio, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.79-2.97; p < 0.001), while job loss (p = 0.180) and decreased income (p = 0.993) were not associated with the 3-year all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

At 12 months after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy, nearly half survivors experienced quality of life worsening such as unemployment, decreased income, and new disability. Additionally, among the three factors, acquiring a new disability might significantly increase the 3-year mortality. This is the first study to report the association between changes in the quality of life and long-term prognosis in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors.

Functional disability and post-traumatic stress disorder in survivors of mechanical ventilation: a cross-sectional study in Guangzhou, China

Background

Critical illness is associated with cognitive, physical, and psychological impairments; however, evidence of the severity and frequency of impairments in Chinese survivors of mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit (ICU) remains limited. Our aim was to investigate the incidence and severity of impairments in Chinese survivors of mechanical ventilation in ICU and to explore risk factors influencing specific impairments.

Methods

Patients discharged alive after mechanical ventilation in a large general ICU for ≥2 days were enrolled in this single-center cross-sectional study. Survivors were evaluated using measures of functional disability (Activity of Daily Living Scale), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, The Impact of Event Scale-Revised) via telephone interview. Multivariable analysis was conducted.

Results

Data were obtained from 130 consenting survivors. At follow-up (mean: 19.64 months), among those in part-time or full-time employment prior to admission, only 45.1% had returned to work. Further, 29.2% of survivors had clear disabilities affecting daily living. Deficits in activities of daily living (ADL) were mainly characterized by impairment of instrumental ADL. Predictors of ADL in mechanically ventilated survivors included age, ICU admission diagnosis, and Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, which accounted for 33.5% of total variance. Furthermore, 17.7% of participants had symptoms consistent with PTSD. ICU length of stay was the only predictor of PTSD, and accounted for 7.5% of total variance.

Conclusions

ICU survivors of mechanical ventilation in China face negative impacts on employment, and commonly have ADL impairment and PTSD. Age, ICU admission diagnosis, and APACHE II score were key factors influencing ADL, while ICU length of stay was the only factor affecting PTSD. These findings suggest that some survivors who have had certain exposures may warrant closer follow-up, and systematic interventions for these high-risk survivors should be developed in China.

Health care use before and after intensive care unit admission-A nationwide register-based study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to describe healthcare utilization of patients admitted to ICU before and after ICU admission.

METHODS

Register-based study including adult patients discharged from ICU between January 1st, 2011 and December 31st, 2014. Reference group was a sex- and age-matched population not admitted to an ICU in the study period. Outcomes were hospital admissions, contacts to general practitioner or emergency services and municipality services from 1 year before ICU admission and up to 3 years after.

RESULTS

The study included 82 384 patients and an equal number of reference persons. Of patients with ICU admission, 48% were married (reference group 57%), 48% had elementary school education (reference group 38%) and 18% had a Charlson co-morbidity score of 5+ (4% in reference group). We found that 51% of patients with an ICU admission had been admitted to hospital in the year before ICU admission (reference group 15%) and 97% had a contact to a general practitioner (reference group 89%) in the same period.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients admitted to an ICU had increased use of both primary and secondary health care both before and for years after ICU treatment, even after adjustment for comorbidities and socio-economic factors.

Long-term health-related quality of life and burden of disease after intensive care: development of a patient-reported outcome measure

BACKGROUND

ICU survivorship includes a diverse burden of disease. Current questionnaires used for collecting information about health-related problems and their relation to quality of life lack detailed questions in several areas relevant to ICU survivors. Our aim was to construct a provisional questionnaire on health-related issues based on interviews with ICU survivors and to test if this questionnaire was able to show differences between ICU survivors and a control group.

METHODS

Thirty-two ICU survivors were identified at a post-ICU clinic and interviewed at least six months after ICU discharge. Using an established qualitative methodology from oncology, all dysfunctions and disabilities were extracted, rephrased as questions and compiled into a provisional questionnaire. In a second part, this questionnaire was tested on ICU survivors and controls. Inclusion criteria for the ICU survivors were ICU stay at least 72 h with ICU discharge six months to three years prior to the study. A non-ICU-treated control group was obtained from the Swedish Population Register, matched for age and sex. Eligible participants received an invitation letter and were contacted by phone. If willing to participate, they were sent the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were applied.

RESULTS

Analysis of the interviews yielded 238 questions in 13 domains: cognition, fatigue, physical health, pain, psychological health, activities of daily living, sleep, appetite and alcohol, sexual health, sensory functions, gastrointestinal functions, urinary functions and work life. In the second part, 395 of 518 ICU survivors and 197 of 231 controls returned a completed questionnaire, the response rates being 76.2% and 85.3%, respectively. The two groups differed significantly in 13 of 22 comorbidities. ICU survivors differed in a majority of questions (p ≤ 0.05) distributed over all 13 domains compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes the development of a provisional questionnaire to identify health-related quality of life issues and long-term burden of disease after intensive care. The questionnaire was answered by 395 ICU survivors. The questionnaire could identify that they experience severe difficulties in a wide range of domains compared with a control group. Trial registry ClinicalTrials.gov Ref# NCT02767180.

Factors associated with employment outcome after critical illness: Systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

AIMS

To synthesize data on prevalence and risk factors for return to work (RTW) in ICU survivors.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

PUBMED, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases were searched from 2000-Feb 2020.

REVIEW METHODS

Peer-reviewed articles that included adult ICU survivors and employment outcomes. Two investigators independently reviewed articles following the PRISMA protocol. Pooled prevalence for RTW was calculated. Meta-regression analyses were performed to assess the association between disability policies, temporal factors and RTW following ICU.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies (N = 8,168) met the inclusion criteria. All studies were scored as 'low risk of bias'. Using meta-analysis, the proportion (95% CI) of RTW following ICU was 29% (0.20,0.42), 59% (0.50,0.70), 56% (0.50,0.62), 63% (0.54,0.72), 58% (0.37,0.91), 58% (0.42,0.81), and 44% (0.25,0.76) at 3, 4-6, 7-12, 13-24, 25-36, 37-48, and 49-60 months, respectively. Time and disability policy support are factors associated with the proportion of ICU survivors who RTW. Through meta-regression, there is a 20% increase (95% CI: 0.06, 0.33) in the proportion of individuals who RTW per year. However, the average rate of increase slows by 4% (-0.07, -0.1) per year. In countries with high support policies, the proportion of RTW is 32% higher compared with countries with low support policies (0.08, 0.24). However, as subsequent years pass, the additional proportion of individuals RTW in high support countries declines (β = -0.06, CI: -0.1, -0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Unemployment is common in ICU survivors. Countries with policies that give higher support for disabled workers have a higher RTW proportion to 3 years following ICU admission. However, from 3-5 years, there is a shift to countries with lower support policies having better employment outcomes.

IMPACT

Health care policies have an impact on RTW rate in survivors of ICU. Healthcare providers, including nurses, can function as public advocates to facilitate policy change.

Omega-3 fatty acid-containing parenteral nutrition in ICU patients: systematic review with meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis

Background

Omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acid (FA)-containing parenteral nutrition (PN) is associated with significant improvements in patient outcomes compared with standard PN regimens without ω-3 FA lipid emulsions. Here, we evaluate the impact of ω-3 FA-containing PN versus standard PN on clinical outcomes and costs in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients using a meta-analysis and subsequent cost-effectiveness analysis from the perspective of a hospital operating in five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK) and the US.

Methods

We present a pharmacoeconomic simulation based on a systematic literature review with meta-analysis. Clinical outcomes and costs comparing ω-3 FA-containing PN with standard PN were evaluated in adult ICU patients eligible to receive PN covering at least 70% of their total energy requirements and in the subgroup of critically ill ICU patients (mean ICU stay > 48 h). The meta-analysis with the co-primary outcomes of infection rate and mortality rate was based on randomized controlled trial data retrieved via a systematic literature review; resulting efficacy data were subsequently employed in country-specific cost-effectiveness analyses.

Results

In adult ICU patients, ω-3 FA-containing PN versus standard PN was associated with significant reductions in the relative risk (RR) of infection (RR 0.62; 95% CI 0.45, 0.86; p = 0.004), hospital length of stay (HLOS) (− 3.05 days; 95% CI − 5.03, − 1.07; p = 0.003) and ICU length of stay (LOS) (− 1.89 days; 95% CI − 3.33, − 0.45; p = 0.01). In critically ill ICU patients, ω-3 FA-containing PN was associated with similar reductions in infection rates (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.46, 0.94; p = 0.02), HLOS (− 3.98 days; 95% CI − 6.90, − 1.06; p = 0.008) and ICU LOS (− 2.14 days; 95% CI − 3.89, − 0.40; p = 0.02). Overall hospital episode costs were reduced in all six countries using ω-3 FA-containing PN compared to standard PN, ranging from €-3156 ± 1404 in Spain to €-9586 ± 4157 in the US.

Conclusion

These analyses demonstrate that ω-3 FA-containing PN is associated with statistically and clinically significant improvement in patient outcomes. Its use is also predicted to yield cost savings compared to standard PN, rendering ω-3 FA-containing PN an attractive cost-saving alternative across different health care systems.

Study registration

PROSPERO CRD42019129311.

Evaluating the association between unmet healthcare needs and subsequent clinical outcomes: protocol for the Addressing Post-Intensive Care Syndrome-01 (APICS-01) multicentre cohort study

INTRODUCTION

As short-term mortality declines for critically ill patients, a growing number of survivors face long-term physical, cognitive and/or mental health impairments. After hospital discharge, many critical illness survivors require an in-depth plan to address their healthcare needs. Early after hospital discharge, numerous survivors experience inadequate care or a mismatch between their healthcare needs and what is provided. Many patients are readmitted to the hospital, have substantial healthcare resource use and experience long-lasting morbidity. The objective of this study is to investigate the gap in healthcare needs occurring immediately after hospital discharge and its association with hospital readmissions or death for survivors of acute respiratory failure (ARF).

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In this multicentre prospective cohort study, we will enrol 200 survivors of ARF in the intensive care unit (ICU) who are discharged directly home from their acute care hospital stay. Unmet healthcare needs, the primary exposure of interest, will be evaluated as soon as possible within 1 to 4 weeks after hospital discharge, via a standardised telephone assessment. The primary outcome, death or hospital readmission, will be measured at 3 months after discharge. Secondary outcomes (eg, quality of life, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder) will be measured as part of 3-month and 6-month telephone-based follow-up assessments. Descriptive statistics will be reported for the exposure and outcome variables along with a propensity score analysis, using inverse probability weighting for the primary exposure, to evaluate the relationship between the primary exposure and outcome.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study received ethics approval from Vanderbilt University Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the University of Utah IRB (for the Veterans Affairs site). These results will inform both clinical practice and future interventional trials in the field. We plan to disseminate the results in peer-reviewed journals, and via national and international conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION DETAILS

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03738774). Registered before enrollment of the first patient.

Revisiting the equity debate in COVID-19: ICU is no panacea

Throughout March and April 2020, debate raged about how best to allocate limited intensive care unit (ICU) resources in the face of a growing COVID-19 pandemic. The debate was dominated by utility-based arguments for saving the most lives or life-years. These arguments were tempered by equity-based concerns that triage based solely on prognosis would exacerbate existing health inequities, leaving disadvantaged patients worse off. Central to this debate was the assumption that ICU admission is a valuable but scarce resource in the pandemic context.In this paper, we argue that the concern about achieving equity in ICU triage is problematic for two reasons. First, ICU can be futile and prolong or exacerbate suffering rather than ameliorate it. This may be especially true in patients with COVID-19 with emerging data showing that most who receive access to a ventilator will still die. There is no value in admitting patients with poor prognostic indicators to ICU to meet an equity target when intensive critical care is contrary to their best interests. Second, the focus on ICU admission shifts focus away from important aspects of COVID-19 care where there is greater opportunity for mitigating suffering and enhancing equitable care.We propose that the focus on equity concerns during the pandemic should broaden to include providing all people who need it with access to the highest possible standard of end-of-life care. This requires attention to culturally safe care in the following interlinked areas: palliative care, communication and decision support and advanced care planning.

Approaches to Addressing Post-Intensive Care Syndrome among Intensive Care Unit Survivors. A Narrative Review

Critical illness can be lethal and devastating to survivors. Improvements in acute care have increased the number of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. These survivors confront a range of new or worsened health states that collectively are commonly denominated post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). These problems include physical, cognitive, psychological, and existential aspects, among others. Burgeoning interest in improving long-term outcomes for ICU survivors has driven an array of potential interventions to improve outcomes associated with PICS. To date, the most promising interventions appear to relate to very early physical rehabilitation. Late interventions within aftercare and recovery clinics have yielded mixed results, although experience in heart failure programs suggests the possibility that very early case management interventions may help improve intermediate-term outcomes, including mortality and hospital readmission. Predictive models have tended to underperform, complicating study design and clinical referral. The complexity of the health states associated with PICS suggests that careful and rigorous evaluation of multidisciplinary, multimodality interventions-tied to the specific conditions of interest-will be required to address these important problems.

Critical Illness Myopathy

Critical illness myopathy (CIM) is a primary myopathy associated with increased mortality and morbidity, which frequently develops in severely ill patients. Several risk factors have been suggested for the development of critical illness myopathy. However, neither the exact etiology nor the underlying mechanisms are known in detail. Although for definite diagnosis muscle biopsy is needed, electrophysiological tests are crucial for the diagnosis of probable critical illness myopathy and differential diagnosis. In this review, conventional electrophysiological tests such as nerve conduction studies, needle electromyography, direct muscle stimulation, and repetitive stimulation for diagnosis of critical illness myopathy are summarized. Moreover, studies using the novel method of recording muscle velocity recovery cycles are addressed.

Quality of life following mechanical ventilation in dogs and cats

BACKGROUND

Mechanical ventilation is frequently performed in small animal critical care medicine with well-documented survival data; quality of life in these patients following discharge from hospital is unknown.

KEY FINDINGS

Owners of patients surviving to discharge following mechanical ventilation were surveyed with an open ended and ranking score questionnaire. Response rate was 57% (27/47). All respondents rated their pet's quality of life prior to the illness necessitating ventilation as good to excellent (8/10-10/10). Perceived recovery periods ranged from 0 days to 6 months (the most common response being 2-3 weeks). Fourteen owners stated that their pets' quality of life was as good or better than previously. Patients with persistent quality of life concerns (n = 3) had been ventilated for neurological disease. Four owners reported changed behaviors such as startling easily or being excessively responsive to noise. One cat became deaf and at time of survey had not regained hearing. Commonly reported problems included decreased exercise tolerance (n = 3). All respondents stated that they would ventilate their pet again.

SIGNIFICANCE

Cats and dogs that are mechanically ventilated appear to recover with minimal adverse effect on their quality of life. Patients ventilated for neurological conditions may be more likely to experience quality of life limitations.

Depression and Change in Caregiver Burden Among Family Members of Intensive Care Unit Survivors

BACKGROUND

Family members of patients in intensive care units may experience psychological distress and substantial caregiver burden.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether change in caregiver burden from intensive care unit admission to 3-month follow-up is associated with caregiver depression at 3 months.

METHODS

Caregiver burden was assessed at enrollment and 3 months later, and caregiver depression was assessed at 3 months. Depression was measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score. The primary analysis was the association between depression at 3 months and change in caregiver burden, controlling for a history of caregiver depression.

RESULTS

One hundred one participants were enrolled; 65 participants had a surviving loved one and completed 3-month follow-up. At 3-month follow-up, 12% of participants met criteria for depression. Increased caregiver burden over time was significantly associated with depression at follow-up (Fisher exact test, P = .004), although this association was not significant after controlling for self-reported history of depression at baseline (Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test, P = .23).

CONCLUSIONS

Family members are increasingly recognized as a vulnerable population susceptible to negative psychological outcomes after a loved one's admission to the intensive care unit. In this small sample, no significant association was found between change in caregiver burden and depression at 3 months after controlling for baseline depression.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome: how do patients fare after the intensive care unit?

Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome require ventilation strategies that have been shown to be important for reducing short-term mortality, such as protective ventilation and prone position ventilation. However, patients who survive have a prolonged stay in both the intensive care unit and the hospital, and they experience a reduction in overall satisfaction with life (independence, acceptance and positive outlook) as well as decreased mental health (including anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms), physical health (impaired physical state and activities of daily living; fatigue and muscle weakness), social health and the ability to participate in social activities (including relationships with friends and family, hobbies and social gatherings).

Influence of quality of intensive care on quality of life/return to work in survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome: prospective observational patient cohort study (DACAPO)

Background

Significant long-term reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is often observed in survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and return to work (RtW) is limited. There is a paucity of data regarding the relationship between the quality of care (QoC) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and both HRQoL and RtW in ARDS survivors. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate associations between indicators of QoC and HRQoL and RtW in a cohort of survivors of ARDS.

Methods

To determine the influence of QoC on HRQoL and RtW 1 year after ICU-discharge, ARDS patients were recruited into a prospective multi-centre patient cohort study and followed up regularly after discharge. Patients were asked to complete self-report questionnaires on HRQoL (Short Form 12 physical component scale (PCS) and mental component scale (MCS)) and RtW. Indicators of QoC pertaining to volume, structural and process quality, and general characteristics were recorded on ICU level. Associations between QoC indicators and HrQoL and RtW were investigated by multivariable linear and Cox regression modelling, respectively. B values and hazard ratios (HRs) are reported with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

877 (of initially 1225 enrolled) people with ARDS formed the DACAPO survivor cohort, 396 were finally followed up to 1 year after discharge. The twelve-month survivors were characterized by a reduced HRQoL with a greater impairment in the physical component (Md 41.2 IQR [34–52]) compared to the mental component (Md 47.3 IQR [33–57]). Overall, 50% of the patients returned to work. The proportion of ventilated ICU patients showed significant negative associations with both 12 months PCS (B = − 11.22, CI −20.71; − 1,74) and RtW (HR = 0,18, CI 0,04;0,80). All other QoC indicators were not significantly related to outcome.

Conclusions

Associations between ICU QoC and long-term HrQoL and RtW were weak and largely non-significant. Residual confounding by case mix, treatment variables before or during ICU stay and variables pertaining to the post intensive care period (e.g. rehabilitation) cannot be ruled out.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.govNCT02637011.

(December 22, 2015, retrospectively registered)

A Progressive Early Mobilization Program Is Significantly Associated With Clinical and Economic Improvement: A Single-Center Quality Comparison Study

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether a progressive early mobilization protocol improves patient outcomes, including in-hospital mortality and total hospital costs.

DESIGN

Retrospective preintervention and postintervention quality comparison study.

SETTINGS

Single tertiary community hospital with a 12-bed closed-mixed ICU.

PATIENTS

All consecutive patients 18 years old or older were eligible. Patients who met exclusion criteria or were discharged from the ICU within 48 hours were excluded. Patients from January 2014 to May 2015 were defined as the preintervention group (group A) and from June 2015 to December 2016 was the postintervention group (group B).

INTERVENTION

Maebashi early mobilization protocol.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Group A included 204 patients and group B included 187 patients. Baseline characteristics evaluated include age, severity, mechanical ventilation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and in group B additional comorbidities and use of steroids. Hospital mortality was reduced in group B (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.13-0.49; p < 0.01). This early mobilization protocol is significantly associated with decreased mortality, even after adjusting for baseline characteristics such as sedation. Total hospital costs decreased from $29,220 to $22,706. The decrease occurred soon after initiating the intervention and this effect was sustained. The estimated effect was $-5,167 per patient, a 27% reduction. Reductions in ICU and hospital lengths of stay, time on mechanical ventilation, and improvement in physical function at hospital discharge were also seen. The change in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at ICU discharge were significantly reduced after the intervention, despite a similar Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at admission and at maximum.

CONCLUSIONS

In-hospital mortality and total hospital costs are reduced after the introduction of a progressive early mobilization program, which is significantly associated with decreased mortality. Cost savings were realized early after the intervention and sustained. Further prospective studies to investigate causality are warranted.

Tracheostomy in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome is not related to quality of life, symptoms of psychiatric disorders or return-to-work: the prospective DACAPO cohort study

Background

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition that often requires prolonged mechanical ventilation. Tracheostomy is a common procedure with some risks, on the other hand with potential advantages over orotracheal intubation in critically ill patients. This study investigated the association of tracheostomy with health-related quality of life (HRQoL), symptoms of psychiatric disorders and return-to-work of ARDS survivors.

Methods

Data were collected in the context of the prospective observational German-wide DACAPO study. Clinical and demographic patient data and treatment characteristics were obtained from the participating intensive care units (ICU). HRQoL and return-to-work were assessed using patient-reported questionnaires 3, 6 and 12 months after ICU discharge. HRQoL was measured with the Physical and Mental Component Scale of the Short-Form 12 Questionnaire (PCS-12, MCS-12). The prevalence of psychiatric symptoms (depression and post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome-14. Physician-diagnosed anxiety and obsessive–compulsive disorder were recorded by patient self-report in the follow-up questionnaires. The associations of tracheostomy with HRQoL, psychiatric symptoms and return-to-work after 12 months were investigated by means of multivariable linear and logistic regression models.

Results

Primary 877 ARDS patients (mean ± standard deviation: 54 ± 16 years, 68% male) survived and were discharged from ICU. Out of these patients, 478 (54.5%) were tracheotomised during ICU treatment. After 12 months, patient-reported outcomes could be analysed of 388 (44.2%) respondents, 205 with tracheostomy and 183 without. One year after ICU discharge, tracheostomy showed no significant association with physical or mental health-related quality of life (PCS-12: − 0.73 [− 3.96, 2.51]; MCS-12: − 0.71 [− 4.92, 3.49]), symptoms of psychiatric disorders (depression: 0.10 [− 1.43, 1.64]; PTSD: 3.31 [− 1.81, 8.43]; anxiety: 1.26 [0.41, 3.86]; obsessive–compulsive disorder: 0.59 [0.05, 6.68]) or return-to-work (0.71 [0.31, 1.64]) in the multivariable analysis (OR [95%-CI]).

Conclusions

Up to 1 year after ICU discharge, neither HRQoL nor symptoms of psychiatric disorders nor return-to-work was affected by tracheostomy.

Trial registration NCT02637011 (ClinicalTrials.gov, Registered 15 December 2015, retrospectively registered)

Home and Community-Based Physical Therapist Management of Adults With Post-Intensive Care Syndrome

More than 4 million adults survive a stay in the intensive care unit each year, with many experiencing new or worsening physical disability, mental health problems, and/or cognitive impairments, known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Given the prevalence and magnitude of physical impairments after critical illness, many survivors, including those recovering from COVID-19, could benefit from physical therapist services after hospital discharge. However, due to the relatively recent recognition and characterization of PICS, there may be limited awareness and understanding of PICS among physical therapists practicing in home health care and community-based settings. This lack of awareness may lead to inappropriate and/or inadequate rehabilitation service provision. While this perspective article provides information relevant to all physical therapists, it is aimed toward those providing rehabilitation services outside of the acute and postacute inpatient settings. This article reports the prevalence and clinical presentation of PICS and provides recommendations for physical examination and outcomes measures, plan of care, and intervention strategies. The importance of providing patient and family education, coordinating community resources including referring to other health care team members, and community-based rehabilitation service options is emphasized. Finally, this perspective article discusses current challenges for optimizing outcomes for people with PICS and suggests future directions for research and practice.

Impact of Patient and Family Involvement in Long-Term Outcomes

Surviving a critical illness can have long-term effects on both patients and families. These effects can be physical, emotional, cognitive, and social, and they affect both the patient and the family. Family members play a key role in helping their loved one recover, and this recovery process can take considerable time. Transferring out of an intensive care unit, and discharging home from a hospital, are important milestones, but they represent only the beginning of recovery and healing after a critical illness. Recognizing that these challenges exist both for patients and families is important to improve critical illness outcomes.

Outcomes Six Months after Delivering 100% or 70% of Enteral Calorie Requirements during Critical Illness (TARGET). A Randomized Controlled Trial

Rationale: The long-term effects of delivering approximately 100% of recommended calorie intake via the enteral route during critical illness compared with a lesser amount of calories are unknown.Objectives: Our hypotheses were that achieving approximately 100% of recommended calorie intake during critical illness would increase quality-of-life scores, return to work, and key life activities and reduce death and disability 6 months later.Methods: We conducted a multicenter, blinded, parallel group, randomized clinical trial, with 3,957 mechanically ventilated critically ill adults allocated to energy-dense (1.5 kcal/ml) or routine (1.0 kcal/ml) enteral nutrition.Measurements and Main Results: Participants assigned energy-dense nutrition received more calories (percent recommended energy intake, mean [SD]; energy-dense: 103% [28] vs. usual: 69% [18]). Mortality at Day 180 was similar (560/1,895 [29.6%] vs. 539/1,920 [28.1%]; relative risk 1.05 [95% confidence interval, 0.95-1.16]). At a median (interquartile range) of 185 (182-193) days after randomization, 2,492 survivors were surveyed and reported similar quality of life (EuroQol five dimensions five-level quality-of-life questionnaire visual analog scale, median [interquartile range]: 75 [60-85]; group difference: 0 [95% confidence interval, 0-0]). Similar numbers of participants returned to work with no difference in hours worked or effectiveness at work (n = 818). There was no observed difference in disability (n = 1,208) or participation in key life activities (n = 705).Conclusions: The delivery of approximately 100% compared with 70% of recommended calorie intake during critical illness does not improve quality of life or functional outcomes or increase the number of survivors 6 months later.

The long-lasting effects of the acute respiratory distress syndrome

Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe form of acute lung injury common in critically ill patients and characterized by significant morbidity and mortality. It frequently manifests long-lasting effects beyond hospitalization, from cognitive impairment to physical weakness.Areas covered: Several complications of ARDS have been identified in patients after hospital discharge. The authors conducted literature searches to identify observational studies, randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and guidelines. A summary of is presented here to outline the sequelae of ARDS and their risk factors with a focus on the limited but growing research into possible therapies. Long term sequelae of ARDS commonly identified in the literature include long-term cognitive impairment, psychological morbidities, neuromuscular weakness, pulmonary dysfunction, and ongoing healthcare utilization with reduced quality of life.Expert opinion: Given the public health significance of long-term complications following ARDS, the development of new therapies for prevention and treatment is of vital importance. Furthering knowledge of the pathophysiology of these impairments will provide a framework to develop new therapeutic targets to fuel future clinical trials in this area of critical care medicine.

Association of Economic Status and Mortality in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The high cost of treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a concern for healthcare systems, while the impact of patients’ socio-economic status on the risk of ARDS-associated mortality remains controversial. This study investigated associations between patients’ income at the time of ARDS diagnosis and ARDS-specific mortality rate after treatment initiation. Data from records provided by the National Health Insurance Service of South Korea were used. Adult patients admitted for ARDS treatment from 2013 to 2017 were included in the study. Patients’ income in the year of diagnosis was evaluated. A total of 14,600 ARDS cases were included in the analysis. The 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were 48.6% and 70.3%, respectively. In multivariable Cox regression model, we compared income quartiles, showing that compared to income strata Q1, the Q2 (p = 0.719), Q3 (p = 0.946), and Q4 (p = 0.542) groups of income level did not affect the risk of 30-day mortality, respectively. Additionally, compared to income strata Q1, the Q2 (p = 0.762), Q3 (p = 0.420), and Q4 (p = 0.189) strata did not affect the risk of 1-year mortality. Patient income at the time of ARDS diagnosis did not affect the risk of 30-day or 1-year mortality in the present study based on South Korea’s health insurance data.

The quality of acute intensive care and the incidence of critical events have an impact on health-related quality of life in survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome - a nationwide prospective multicenter observational study

Background: Initial treatment (ventilator settings, rescue therapy, supportive measures), and prevention of critical events improve survival in ARDS patients, but little data exists on its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and return to work (RtW) in survivors. We analyzed the association of the intensity of treatment at ARDS onset and the incidence of critical events on HRQOL and RtW a year after ICU discharge.

Methods: In a prospective multi-centre cohort study, the intensity of treatment and the incidence of critical events were determined at 61 ICUs in Germany. At 3, 6, and 12 months, 396 survivors reported their HRQOL (Short-Form 12) and RtW. The parameters of the intensity of acute management (lung protective ventilation, prone position, hemodynamic stabilization, neuromuscular blocking agents), and critical events (hypoxemia, hypoglycemia, hypotension) were associated with HRQOL and RtW.

Results: Patients ventilated at ARDS onset with a low tidal volume (VT≤7 ml/kg) had higher arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO₂=57.5±17 mmHg) compared to patients ventilated with VT>7ml/kg (45.7±12, p=0.001). In a multivariate adjusted dichotomized analysis, a better mental 3-month SF-12 was observed in the higher VT-group (mean 43.1±12) compared to the lower VT-group (39.5±9, p=0.042), while a dichotomized analysis for driving pressures (≤14 mbar vs >14 mbar) did not show any difference neither in PaCO₂ levels nor in HRQOL parameters. A decrease in the mental (6-month: 40.0±11 vs 44.8±13, p=0.038) and physical SF-12 (12-month: 38.3±11 vs 43.0±13, p=0.015) was reported from patients with hypoglycemia (blood glucose <70 mg/dl) compared to those without hypoglycemic episodes. More frequent vasopressor use with mean arterial pressure ≥65 mmHg was associated with an impaired physical SF-12 (6-month: 38.8±10) compared to less vasopressor use (43.0±11, p=0.019).

Conclusions: In acute management of ARDS, a lower VT strategy associated with hypercapnia, as well as the frequent usage of catecholamines and the management of blood glucose may influence short-term HRQOL of survivors. The awareness of these findings is of clinical importance for the acute and post-ICU care.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Interventions to Increase Utilization of Prone Positioning for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Despite strong evidence supporting proning in acute respiratory distress syndrome, few eligible patients receive it. This study determines the cost-effectiveness of interventions to increase utilization of proning for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.

DESIGN

We created decision trees to model severe acute respiratory distress syndrome from ICU admission through death (societal perspective) and hospital discharge (hospital perspective). We assumed patients received low tidal volume ventilation. We used short-term outcome estimates from the PROSEVA trial and longitudinal cost and benefit data from cohort studies. In probabilistic sensitivity analyses, we used distributions for each input that included the fifth to 95th percentile of its CI.

SETTING

ICUs that care for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

SUBJECTS

Patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.

INTERVENTIONS

The implementation of a hypothetical intervention to increase the appropriate utilization of prone positioning.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In the societal perspective model, an intervention that increased proning utilization from 16% to 65% yielded an additional 0.779 (95% CI, 0.088-1.714) quality-adjusted life years at an additional long-term cost of $31,156 (95% CI, -$158 to $92,179) (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio = $38,648 per quality-adjusted life year [95% CI, $1,695-$98,522]). If society was willing to pay $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year, any intervention costing less than $51,328 per patient with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome would represent good value. From a hospital perspective, the intervention yielded 0.072 (95% CI, 0.008-0.147) more survivals-to-discharge at a cost of $5,242 (95% CI, -$19,035 to $41,019) (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio = $44,615 per extra survival [95% CI, -$250,912 to $558,222]). If hospitals were willing to pay $100,000 per survival-to-discharge, any intervention costing less than $5,140 per patient would represent good value.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions that increase utilization of proning would be cost-effective from both societal and hospital perspectives under many plausible cost and benefit assumptions.

The Patient and Family Member Experience of Financial Stress Related to Critical Illness

Background: The experience of financial stress during and after critical illness for patients and their family is poorly understood. Objectives: Our objectives were to (1) explore common financial concerns, their contribution to emotional stress, and potential opportunities for interventions to reduce financial stress in patients with critical illness and their family members; and (2) confirm patient and family members' willingness to provide information on this topic. Design: Cross-sectional survey study. Setting/Subjects: Patients (18/24, response rate 75%) and their family members (32/58, response rate 55%) from two prior randomized trials at an urban, level 1 Trauma center. Results: Ten (56%) patients and 19 (70%) family members reported financial worries during an intensive care unit (ICU) stay; 70% of both groups reported financial worries post-ICU discharge. Thirty percent (3/10) of patients and 43% (10/23) of family members who were not asked about financial concerns by hospital staff wished that they had been asked. Both patients and family believed that it would have been helpful to have information about insurance coverage, interpreting hospital bills, and estimated out-of-pocket costs. Among patients, 47% favored receiving these services after the ICU stay (7/15), while 20% (3/15) preferred these services in the ICU; 73% of family members preferred receiving them during the ICU stay (22/30), while 27% (8/30) preferred these services after the ICU stay. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the experience of financial stress and the worry it causes during and after critical illness are common and potentially modifiable with simple targeted interventions.

Caloric Adequacy in the First Week of Mechanically Ventilated Patients has No Impact on Long-term Daily Life Activities

Aim and objective

The aim and objective of this study is to test the effect of an optimized caloric supply in the first week of intensive care unit (ICU) stay in mechanically ventilated patients on the ability to perform their activities of daily living (ADL) in the long-term.

Materials and methods

A prospective observational study comparing patients who achieved an adequate caloric target (≥80%) vs those whose target was inadequate (<80%). The primary outcome under study is the instrumental ADL (IADL) scale after 6 months of discharge.

Results

Ninety-two patients were evaluated in the ICU and 50 were alive at 6 months. Follow-up was lost for 3 patients and 47 patients were evaluated at ICU and after 6 months. Thirty-four patients reached the energetic target and 13 did not reach it. There was no significant variation in IADL.

Conclusion

The energy adequacy in the first week of hospitalization was achieved by most survivors; however, this conduct does not seem to have influenced the ability to perform ADL after 6 months of discharge.

How to cite this article

Dariano AP, Couto CFL, Rubin BA, Viana MV, Friedman G. Caloric Adequacy in the First Week of Mechanically Ventilated Patients has No Impact on Long-term Daily Life Activities. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(12):1206–1212.

Return to work after critical illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Survivors of critical illness often experience poor outcomes after hospitalisation, including delayed return to work, which carries substantial economic consequences.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of return to work after critical illness.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Cochrane Library from 1970 to February 2018. Data were extracted, in duplicate, and random-effects meta-regression used to obtain pooled estimates.

RESULTS

Fifty-two studies evaluated return to work in 10 015 previously employed survivors of critical illness, over a median (IQR) follow-up of 12 (6.25-38.5) months. By 1-3, 12 and 42-60 months' follow-up, pooled return to work prevalence (95% CI) was 36% (23% to 49%), 60% (50% to 69%) and 68% (51% to 85%), respectively (τ2=0.55, I2=87%, p=0.03). No significant difference was observed based on diagnosis (acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) vs non-ARDS) or region (Europe vs North America vs Australia/New Zealand), but was observed when comparing mode of employment evaluation (in-person vs telephone vs mail). Following return to work, 20%-36% of survivors experienced job loss, 17%-66% occupation change and 5%-84% worsening employment status (eg, fewer work hours). Potential risk factors for delayed return to work include pre-existing comorbidities and post-hospital impairments (eg, mental health).

CONCLUSION

Approximately two-thirds, two-fifths and one-third of previously employed intensive care unit survivors are jobless up to 3, 12 and 60 months following hospital discharge. Survivors returning to work often experience job loss, occupation change or worse employment status. Interventions should be designed and evaluated to reduce the burden of this common and important problem for survivors of critical illness.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42018093135.

Shoulder Impairment Following Critical Illness: A Prospective Cohort Study

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Objectives:

Identify the prevalence of shoulder impairment in ICU survivors within 6 months of discharge from ICU. Evaluate the impact of shoulder impairment on upper limb functional status in patients treated on an ICU. Identify risk factors for the development of shoulder impairment.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

A tertiary care medical-surgical-trauma ICU at a U.K. hospital over 18 months, with a further 6-month follow-up after hospital discharge.

Subjects:

Adult patients with an ICU length of stay of greater than 72 hours with no preexisting or new neurologic or traumatic upper limb injury.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Patients underwent targeted shoulder assessments (pain, range of movement, Constant-Murley Score, shortened version of the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand [DASH] score [QuickDASH] score) at hospital discharge, 3 and 6 months after hospital discharge. Assessments were undertaken on 96 patients, with 62 patients attending follow-up at 3 months and 61 patients at 6 months. Multivariate regression analysis was used to investigate risk factors for shoulder impairment. ICU-related shoulder impairment was present in 67% of patients at 6 months following discharge from hospital. Upper limb dysfunction occurred in 46%, with 16% having severe dysfunction (equivalent to shoulder dislocation). We were unable to identify specific risk factors for shoulder impairment.

Conclusions:

Shoulder impairment is a highly prevalent potential source of disability in ICU survivors. This persists at 6 months after discharge with a significant impact on upper limb function. More research is needed into potential mechanisms underlying shoulder impairment and potential targeted interventions to reduce the prevalence.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Financial Stress in Survivors of Critical Illness

OBJECTIVES

Little is known about the experience of financial stress for patients who survive critical illness or their families. Our objective was to describe the prevalence of financial stress among critically ill patients and their families, identify clinical and demographic characteristics associated with this stress, and explore associations between financial stress and psychologic distress.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of a randomized trial comparing a coping skills training program and an education program for patients surviving acute respiratory failure and their families.

SETTING

Five geographically diverse hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients (n = 175) and their family members (n = 85) completed surveys within 2 weeks of arrival home and 3 and 6 months after randomization.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We used regression analyses to assess associations between patient and family characteristics at baseline and financial stress at 3 and 6 months. We used path models and mediation analyses to explore relationships between financial stress, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and global mental health. Serious financial stress was high at both time points and was highest at 6 months (42.5%) among patients and at 3 months (48.5%) among family members. Factors associated with financial stress included female sex, young children at home, and baseline financial discomfort. Experiencing financial stress had direct effects on symptoms of anxiety (β = 0.260; p < 0.001) and depression (β = 0.048; p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

Financial stress after critical illness is common and associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Our findings provide direction for potential interventions to reduce this stress and improve psychologic outcomes for patients and their families.

Differential contractile response of critically ill patients to neuromuscular electrical stimulation

Background

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been investigated as a preventative measure for intensive care unit-acquired weakness. Trial results remain contradictory and therefore inconclusive. As it has been shown that NMES does not necessarily lead to a contractile response, our aim was to characterise the response of critically ill patients to NMES and investigate potential outcome benefits of an adequate contractile response.

Methods

This is a sub-analysis of a randomised controlled trial investigating early muscle activating measures together with protocol-based physiotherapy in patients with a SOFA score ≥ 9 within the first 72 h after admission. Included patients received protocol-based physiotherapy twice daily for 20 min and NMES once daily for 20 min, bilaterally on eight muscle groups. Electrical current was increased up to 70 mA or until a contraction was detected visually or on palpation. Muscle strength was measured by a blinded assessor at the first adequate awakening and ICU discharge.

Results

One thousand eight hundred twenty-four neuromuscular electrical stimulations in 21 patients starting on day 3.0 (2.0/6.0) after ICU admission were included in this sub-analysis. Contractile response decreased from 64.4% on day 1 to 25.0% on day 7 with a significantly lower response rate in the lower extremities and proximal muscle groups. The electrical current required to elicit a contraction did not change over time (day 1, 50.2 [31.3/58.8] mA; day 7, 45.3 [38.0/57.5] mA). The electrical current necessary for a contractile response was higher in the lower extremities. At the first awakening, patients presented with significant weakness (3.2 [2.5/3.8] MRC score). When dividing the cohort into responders and non-responders (> 50% vs. ≤ 50% contractile response), we observed a significantly higher SOFA score in non-responders. The electrical current necessary for a muscle contraction in responders was significantly lower (38.0 [32.8/42.9] vs. 54.7 [51.3/56.0] mA, p < 0.001). Muscle strength showed higher values in the upper extremities of responders at ICU discharge (4.4 [4.1/4.6] vs. 3.3 [2.8/3.8] MRC score, p = 0.036).

Conclusion

Patients show a differential contractile response to NMES, which appears to be dependent on the severity of illness and also relevant for potential outcome benefits.

Trial registration

ISRCTN ISRCTN19392591, registered 17 February 2011

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13054-019-2540-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Understanding patient-important outcomes after critical illness: a synthesis of recent qualitative, empirical, and consensus-related studies

Purpose of review

Patients surviving critical illness frequently experience long-lasting morbidities. Consequently, researchers and clinicians are increasingly focused on evaluating and improving survivors’ outcomes after hospital discharge. This review synthesizes recent research aimed at understanding the postdischarge outcomes that patients consider important (i.e., patient-important outcomes) for the purpose of advancing future clinical research in the field.

Recent findings

Across multiple types of studies, patients, family members, researchers, and clinicians have consistently endorsed physical function, cognition, and mental health as important outcomes to evaluate in future research. Aspects of social health, such as return to work and changes in interpersonal relationships, also were noted in some research publications. Informed by these recent studies, an international Delphi consensus process (including patient and caregiver representatives) recommended the following core set of outcomes for use in all studies evaluating acute respiratory failure survivors after hospital discharge: survival, physical function (including muscle/nerve function and pulmonary function), cognition, mental health, health-related quality of life, and pain. The Delphi panel also reached consensus on recommended measurement instruments for some of these core outcomes.

Summary

Recent studies have made major advances in understanding patient-important outcomes to help guide future clinical research aimed at improving ICU survivors’ recovery.

Comprehensive care of ICU survivors: Development and implementation of an ICU recovery center

PURPOSE

To describe the design and initial implementation of an Intensive Care Unit Recovery Center (ICU-RC) in the United States.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective, observational feasibility study was undertaken at an academic hospital between July 2012 and December 2015. Clinical criteria were used to develop the ICU-RC, identify patients at high risk for post intensive care syndrome (PICS), and offer them post-ICU care.

RESULTS

218/307 referred patients (71%) survived to hospital discharge; 62 (28% of survivors) were seen in clinic. Median time from discharge to ICU-RC visit was 29days. At initial evaluation, 64% of patients had clinically meaningful cognitive impairment. Anxiety and depression were present in 37% and 27% of patients, respectively. One in three patients was unable to ambulate independently; median 6min walk distance was 56% predicted. Of 47 previously working patients, 7 (15%) had returned to work. Case management and referral services were provided 142 times. The median number of interventions per patient was 4.

CONCLUSIONS

An ICU-RC identified a high prevalence of cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, physical debility, lifestyle changes, and medication-related problems warranting intervention. Whether an ICU-RC can improve ICU recovery in the US should be investigated in a systematic way.