DETERMINANTS OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN SURVIVORS OF CARDIAC ARREST

Objective: To study factors related to quality of life after a hypoxic period due to cardiac arrest. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Subjects: Eighty-eight survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, admitted to a Dutch academic hospital between 2001 and 2006. Methods: Patients received a set of questionnaires at home. The main outcome measures were physical and mental quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey; SF-36). Potential determinants were cognitive complaints, emotional problems (depression/anxiety), post-traumatic stress, fatigue, daily functioning and participation in society. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed with physical and mental quality of life as dependent variables. Results: Sixty-three (72%) patients responded. Mean time since cardiac arrest was 36 months (standard deviation (SD) 19). Backward regression analyses showed that physical quality of life was significantly (p<0.001, adjusted R(2)=0.531) related to cognitive complaints (beta=-0.378), instrumental daily life activities (beta=0.262), post-traumatic stress (beta=-0.246) and fatigue (beta=-0.226). Mental quality of life was significantly (p<0.001, adjusted R(2)=0.664) explained by anxiety/depression (beta=-0.609), fatigue (beta=-0.177) and cognitive complaints (beta=-0.175). Conclusion: Quality of life is related to cognitive complaints, fatigue, anxiety/depression, post-traumatic stress and difficulties in daily activities in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Rehabilitation programmes for this group should specifically address these topics.