The first year after successful cardiac resuscitation: function, activity, participation and quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
To assess cognitive function, activities of daily living (ADL) and living situation longitudinally up to 1 year after cardiac arrest.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
The study continued for 3 years and consecutive patients (18-75 years of age) who survived resuscitation were included.


METHODS
A longitudinal study with examinations using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale for assessing brain damage, along with the Mini Mental State Examination. To assess ADL, we used the Functional Independence Measure and the Instrumental Activity Measure. Life satisfaction was assessed, together with health-related quality of life. Social status and vocational status were recorded.


RESULTS
Mortality was high during the first 90 days (31%). After discharge, not much improvement was seen in cognitive function. This was reflected in reduced dependency in ADL. Work capacity at 1 year was only 13%. The health related quality of life showed great improvement during the first year, being almost the same as for Swedish reference values.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the improvement resulting in the independence of ADL occurred during the first 45 days. It is important to give the next of kin information about the patient's progress and need for assistance in order to enable them to plan for the future before discharge.
Lundgren-Nilsson
Asa
A
Department of Clinical Neuroscience-Rehabilitation Medicine, The Arvid Carlsson Institute University of Göteborg, Guldhedsgatan 19, Sahlgrenska Hospital, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden.
Rosén
Hans
H
Hofgren
Caisa
C
Sunnerhagen
Katharina Stibrant
KS
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D016019:Survival Analysis; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology