Potential risk factors for reduced quality of life and increased health care utilization in ARDS survivors: results from the multicenter cohort study DACAPO.

AIM:To analyze the association of individual pre-ICU risk factors (obesity, physical and mental comorbidity, smoking status) on the long-term recovery process in survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS; outcomes: health related quality of life, health care utilization; measured at 12, 24, and 36 months after ICU discharge). FINDINGS:Results show a possible causal link between pre-ICU risk factors and subsequent recovery of survivors of ARDS, especially with regard to mental health related quality of life. PURPOSE:Identifying relevant pre-existing risk factors, such as mental health problems, will enable the identification of at-risk patients, thus aiding in the improvement of long-term healthcare for survivors of critical illness.