title: Quality of life, pulmonary function, and tomographic scan abnormalities after ARDS.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  ARDS can produce a loss of lung function with persistent sequelae. This study aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQL) in survivors of ARDS compared with a healthy reference population and to determine the middle/long-term radiographic abnormalities and functional status, as well as their relation to observed HRQL, in these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study carried out in three ICUs. HRQL in patients was determined with the Nottingham Health Profile immediately after ARDS diagnosis and 6 months after diagnosis. Patients underwent complete respiratory function testing, chest CT scan study, and the 6-min walk test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up was conducted in 38 patients with ARDS. Survivors of ARDS presented a poorer overall HRQL vs the general population, mainly because of lower scores in the dimensions related to mobility, energy, and social isolation. Limitations in daily life activities were documented in 40%. Respiratory function was altered in 67%, with a restrictive respiratory pattern in 58%. Radiologic study disclosed alterations in 76% (mainly reticular pattern). Patients were able to cover only 366 m (318-411 m) in the 6-min walk test and had a minimum pulse oximetry of 93% (90%-94%). A significant correlation was documented between the overall quality of life at first and at 6 months (r = 0.68, P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Survivors of ARDS after 6 months had a poorer HRQL than the healthy population and showed mild radiographic and functional involvement. Early HRQL study in these patients enabled early detection of those who would present more long-term HRQL morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron-Vall d'Hebron Research Institute-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: jrmasclans@vhebron.net.
authors.forename: Joan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Masclans
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron-Vall d'Hebron Research Institute-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain; CIBERES, Instituto Salut Carlos III, Ministerio de Sanidad de España, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Oriol
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Roca
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron-Vall d'Hebron Research Institute-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain; CIBERES, Instituto Salut Carlos III, Ministerio de Sanidad de España, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron-Vall d'Hebron Research Institute-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pallisa
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biostatistics & Epidemiology (UAB), Statistics & Methodology Support Unit (USEM), IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ferran
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron-Vall d'Hebron Research Institute-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain; CIBERES, Instituto Salut Carlos III, Ministerio de Sanidad de España, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rello
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron-Vall d'Hebron Research Institute-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain; CIBERES, Instituto Salut Carlos III, Ministerio de Sanidad de España, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ferran
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed