Life after survival: long-term daily life functioning and quality of life of patients with hypoxic brain injury as a result of a cardiac arrest.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the level of daily functioning and quality of life of patients with hypoxic brain injury after a cardiac arrest and to investigate the predictive value of the duration of coma and post-traumatic amnesia in long-term functioning.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
A Dutch rehabilitation centre.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with hypoxic brain injury caused by a cardiac arrest 2-7 years ago, who were admitted to a brain injury rehabilitation programme.


METHODS
Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Quality of Life after Brain Injury questionnaire (QOLIBRI). Data on duration of coma and post-traumatic amnesia were retrieved from medical files.


RESULTS
A significant association was found between duration of coma, complaints of cognitive functioning (r = 0.57, P < 0.05) and quality of life after brain injury (r = -0.70, P < 0.01). Duration of post-traumatic amnesia was associated with both daily functioning (r = -0.70, P < 0.01) and quality of life (r = -0.70, P < 0.01). Furthermore complaints of cognitive functioning were associated with both the level of participation in society (r = 0.76, P < 0.01) and quality of life (r = 0.77, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term outcome of patients with hypoxic brain injury after a cardiac arrest shows that this group is limited in cognitive and daily functioning, participation and quality of life. Based on the duration of coma and post-traumatic amnesia, an estimation of daily life functioning and quality of life 2-7 years after a cardiac arrest can be made.
Middelkamp
Wietske
W
Maastricht University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Moulaert
Veronique Rmp
VR
Verbunt
Jeanine A
JA
van Heugten
Caroline M
CM
Bakx
Wilbert G
WG
Wade
Derick T
DT
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors