Joint contractures in the intensive care unit: quality of life and function 3.3 years after hospital discharge.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mortality, quality of life and functional limitations of intensive care unit (ICU) patients with and without joint contractures 3.3 years after discharge from the hospital.


METHODS
155 consecutive patients admitted to a primary care referral centre ICU for 2 or more weeks with information on joint range of motion formed a retrospective cohort. The EuroQol and a Joint Contracture Questionnaire were administered to the cohort survivors.


RESULTS
Fifty patients returned the questionnaires, 57 did not return the questionnaire, and 48 were deceased. The patients who had died presented significantly more joint contractures in the ICU than the respondents and the non-respondents (p = 0.003 and p = 0.006, respectively). More respondents who reported limitations in their mobility on the EuroQol had joint contractures in ICU 13/18 (72.2%) compared to respondents who did not have contractures 7/21 (33.3%; p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Joint contractures in ICU were associated with higher mortality. Patients who spent 2 weeks or more in ICU and developed joint contractures identified more difficulty with mobility 3.3 years after discharge; joint contractures may impose irreversible disability. A strategy to identify and treat joint contractures in ICU may prevent long-term functional limitations.
Bone and Joint Laboratory, University of Ottawa , Ottawa, Ontario , Canada .
Heidi
H
Clavet
Steve
S
Doucette
Guy
G
Trudel
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003286:Contracture / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors
Contracture; immobility; joint; prolonged ICU