[Risk factors for the deterioration of quality of life in critical trauma patients. Assessment at 6 and 12 months after discharge from the intensive care unit].

Objective: To evaluate factors influencing the deterioration of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in trauma patients admitted to an ICU.

Design: A prospective observational study was carried out.

Setting: The combined medical/surgical ICU in a university secondary hospital with 24-hour neurosurgery service.

Patients: Trauma patients admitted to the ICU during a two-year period. HRQoL assessment prior to admission to the ICU, and at 6 and 12 months after discharge.

Main Variables: Demographic variables, type and severity of injury (AIS), severity (APACHE II, ISS, TRISS), length of stay, procedures, mortality and HRQoL according to the SF-36 and EQ-5D.

Results: We completed the monitoring of 110 patients that showed significant impairment of their HRQoL in all the dimensions assessed. According to the SF-36, physical role was more deteriorated at 12 months, but the mental component decreased more than the physical component after 6 months. The VAS scale of the EQ-5D decreased to 55 at 6 months (19) and increased to 66 at 12 months (17). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the variables associated with poorer HRQoL were age > 45 years, TRISS > 10, previous porer quality of life, and serious injuries in the extremities.

Conclusions: Patients showed marked deterioration of their HRQoL at 6 months, followed by overall improvement at 12 months, though without reaching their previous state. The factors that determine poorer quality of life include age, severity, previous HRQoL, and severe injuries in the extremities.