The effect of postintensive care syndrome on the quality of life of intensive care unit survivors: A secondary analysis

BackgroundDespite increasing interest in postintensive care syndrome and the quality of life of intensive care unit survivors, the empirical literature on the relationship between these two variables is limited.ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine whether postintensive care syndrome predicts the quality of life of intensive care unit survivors.MethodsWe analysed secondary data, which were collected as part of a larger cross-sectional study. The participants were recruited from six health institutions in Korea. The data of 496 survivors who had been admitted to an intensive care unit for at least 48 h during the past year were analysed. They responded to measures of postintensive care syndrome and quality of life.ResultsThe participants' mean physical and mental component summary scores (quality of life) were 40.08 ± 8.99 and 40.24 ± 11.19, respectively. Physical impairment (β = ?0.48, p < 0.001), unemployment (β = ?0.19, p < 0.001), low income (β = ?0.11, p = 0.004), older age (β = ?0.08, p = 0.039), and cognitive impairment (β = ?0.11, p = 0.045) predicted lower physical component summary scores. Mental (β = ?0.49, p < 0.001) and cognitive impairment (β = ?0.14, p = 0.005) and low income (β = ?0.09, p = 0.014) predicted mental component summary scores.ConclusionsThe participants reported poor physical and mental health–related quality of life. Postintensive care syndrome, unemployment, low income, and older age were the main predictors of poor quality of life. In addition, postintensive care syndrome was a stronger risk factor for poor quality of life than demographic characteristics and intensive care unit treatment factors.