Long-term outcomes in patients surviving acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Recent studies have begun to describe the long-term outcomes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) survivors. These patients experience several physical, mental, and psychological morbidities that significantly impair their health-related quality of life (HRQL). Persistent for years after hospital discharge, decrements in functional and neuropsychological outcomes result in lost savings, employment reduction, and a reduction in HRQL among survivors and their caregivers. Future research should focus on the early identification of patients and their family members at risk for long-term sequelae, the mechanisms of injury leading to long-term ARDS consequences, and therapeutic modalities designed to prevent or decrease these morbidities. Clinicians, caregivers, and patients should be made aware of the deleterious long-term effects of the intensive care unit stay because they are currently poorly recognized and potentially modifiable.
Wilcox
M Elizabeth
ME
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. elizabeth.wilcox@uhn.on.ca
Herridge
Margaret S
MS
D017028:Caregivers; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D011788:Quality of Life; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017741:Survivors; D013997:Time Factors