Reduced Quality of Life in Survivors of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Compared With Critically Ill Control Patients

ContextHealth-related quality of life (HRQL) is reduced in patients who survive acute respiratory distress (ARDS), but whether this decline in HRQL is caused by ARDS or other aspects of the patient's illness or injury is unknown.ObjectiveTo determine if there are differences in the HRQL of ARDS survivors and comparably ill or injured controls without ARDS.DesignProspective, matched, parallel cohort study.SettingA 411-bed municipal medical and regional level I trauma center.PatientsSeventy-three pairs of ARDS survivors and severity-matched controls with the clinical risk factors for ARDS of sepsis and trauma admitted between January 1, 1994, and July 30, 1996.Main Outcome MeasuresThe HRQL of ARDS survivors and controls, assessed by generic and pulmonary disease–specific HRQL instruments (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, Standard Form [SF-36] and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ], respectively).ResultsClinically meaningful and statistically significant reductions in HRQL scores of ARDS survivors (n=73) were seen in 7 of 8 SF-36 domains and 3 of 3 SGRQ domains compared with matched controls (PP≤.02) and 3 of 3 SGRQ domains (P≤.003). Analysis of sepsis-matched pairs (n=27) revealed significant reductions in 6 of 8 SF-36 domains (P≤.05) and 3 of 3 SGRQ domains (P≤.002).ConclusionsSurvivors of ARDS have a clinically significant reduction in HRQL that appears to be caused exclusively by ARDS and its sequelae. Reductions were primarily noted in physical functioning and pulmonary disease–specific domains.