Physical effects of trauma and the psychological consequences of preexisting diseases account for a significant portion of the health-related quality of life patterns of former trauma patients.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is known to be significantly affected in former trauma patients. However, the underlying factors that lead to this outcome are largely unknown. In former intensive care unit (ICU) patients, it has been recognized that preexisting disease is the most important factor for the long-term HRQoL.

Social integration: an important factor for health-related quality of life after critical illness.

Objectives: To examine to what extent availability of social integration affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in former intensive care unit (ICU) patients and how it relates to corresponding findings in a general reference group.

Design: Controlled, multicenter, prospective, explorative study.

Setting And Patients: HRQoL data (SF-36) were collected from three combined medical and surgical ICUs in the south-east of Sweden.

Pre-existing disease: the most important factor for health related quality of life long-term after critical illness: a prospective, longitudinal, multicentre trial.

Introduction: The aim of the present multicenter study was to assess long term (36 months) health related quality of life in patients after critical illness, compare ICU survivors health related quality of life to that of the general population and examine the impact of pre-existing disease and factors related to ICU care on health related quality of life.

Methods: Prospective, longitudinal, multicentre trial in three combined medical and surgical intensive care units of one university and two general hospitals in Sweden. By mailed questionnaires, health related quality of life was assessed at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after the stay in ICU by EQ-5D and SF-36, and information of pre-existing disease was collected at the 6 months measure.

Role of preexisting disease in patients' perceptions of health-related quality of life after intensive care.

Objectives: To find out how patients perceive their health-related quality of life after they have been treated in an intensive care unit and whether preexisting disease influenced their perception.

Design: : Follow-up, quantitative, dual-site study.

Setting: Combined medical and surgical intensive care units of one university and one general hospital in Sweden.