Functional status and quality of life 12 months after discharge from a medical ICU in healthy elderly patients: a prospective observational study.

Introduction: Long-term outcomes of elderly patients after medical ICU care are little known. The aim of the study was to evaluate functional status and quality of life of elderly patients 12 months after discharge from a medical ICU.

Methods: We prospectively studied 112/230 healthy elderly patients (≥ 65 years surviving at least 12 months after ICU discharge) with full functional autonomy without cognitive impairment prior to ICU entry.

Mortality in healthy elderly patients after ICU admission.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess mortality in healthy elderly patients after non-elective medical ICU admission and to identify predictive factors of mortality in these patients.

Methods: Patients >or=65 years living at home and with full-autonomy (Barthel index, BI > 60), without cognitive impairment, and non-electively admitted to a medical ICU were prospectively recruited. A full comprehensive geriatric assessment was made with validated scales.