Impact of mechanical ventilation on quality of life and functional status after ICU discharge: A cross-sectional study

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the need for mechanical ventilation (MV) and its duration throughout ICU stay on the quality of life (QoL) and physical functional status (PFS) after the immediate ICU discharge. Method: This was a cross-sectional study including all subjects consecutively discharged from the ICU during 1-year period. During the first week after ICU discharge, QoL was assessed through WHOQoL-Bref questionnaire and PFS through the Karnofsky Performance Status and modified-Barthel index, and retrospectively compared with the pre-admission status (variation [Delta] of indexes). Results: During the study, 160 subjects met the inclusion criteria. Subjects receiving MV presented PFS impairment (Delta Karnofsky Performance Status [-19.7 +/- 20.0 vs. -14.9 +/- 18.2; p=0.04] and Delta modified-Barthel index [-17.4 +/- 12.8 vs. -13.2 +/- 12.9; p=0.05]) compared with those who did not receive MV. Duration of MV was a good predictor of PFS (Delta Karnofsky Performance Status [-14.6-1.12 * total days of MV; p=0.01] and Delta modified-Barthel index [-14.2-0.74 * total days of MV; p=0.01]). QoL, assessed by WHOQoL-Bref, showed no difference between groups (14.0 +/- 1.8 vs. 14.5 +/- 1.9; p=0.14), and the duration of MV did not influence QoL (WHOQoL-Bref scale [14.2-0.05* total days of MV; p=0.43]). Conclusion: Need for MV and duration of MV decrease patient PFS after ICU discharge.