Faculty Collaboration Database

Quality of life and dialysis decisions in critically ill patients with acute renal failure. Intensive Care Med 2003 Sep;29(9):1589-93

Date

06/24/2003

Pubmed ID

12819880

DOI

10.1007/s00134-003-1837-5

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0141788347 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   43 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether health-related quality of life (HRQL) in survivors of acute renal failure (ARF) occurring in intensive care is predictable from data available at the time of acute illness.

DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective pilot study in academic intensive care units.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients requiring renal replacement therapy for ARF while in intensive care over a 6-month enrollment period were included. The primary outcome measure was HRQL among survivors 6 months following hospital discharge, as assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and its association with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score. We also asked survivors whether, in retrospect, they would choose to have dialysis again and what factors influenced this decision.

RESULTS: Ninety-two percent (12/13) of participants surviving 6 months completed the follow-up interview. The mean mental and physical components of the SF-36 were comparable to and slightly lower than the age-matched general population, respectively. There was no correlation between APACHE III score at the time of dialysis initiation and SF-36 score at 6 months. Almost all patients, regardless of their HRQL, stated they would choose dialysis again.

CONCLUSIONS: HRQL may not be predictable from data available at the time of dialysis initiation in this population. In retrospect, surviving patients agree with the decision to accept dialysis, even when their HRQL is poor.

Author List

Maynard SE, Whittle J, Chelluri L, Arnold R

Author

Jeffrey Whittle MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Acute Kidney Injury
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Critical Care
Decision Making
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Participation
Patient Satisfaction
Pennsylvania
Pilot Projects
Prospective Studies
Quality of Life
Renal Dialysis
Severity of Illness Index