Trajectories of quality of life, return to work, psychopathology, and disability in survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): A three-year prospective cohort study (DACAPO).

Purpose: Describe the long-term development of outcomes for survivors of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

Material And Methods: A cohort study with N = 877 ARDS survivors was conducted. Health related quality of life (HRQoL, Physical and Mental Component Scale: PCS, MCS of the SF-12), return to work (RtW), panic disorder, depressive symptoms (PHQD), and post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD, PTSS-14) were assessed at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after discharge from ICU.

Results: PCS, MCS, and RtW increased during the first 12 months [e.g. PCS: Md = 36 (IQR 31-43) at 3 months, Md = 42 (IQR 34-52) at 12 months; MCS: Md = 44 (IQR 32-54) at 3 months, Md = 47 (IQR 33-57) at 12 months, RtW = 23.2% at 3 months, 54.5% at 12 months], and remained relatively stable afterwards. Proportion of major depressive syndrome decreased from 3 (14.2%) to 36 months (8.9%). Proportions of panic disorder (5.3% to 7.4%) and PTSD (27.1% to 32.6%) varied only slightly.

Conclusions: Most of recovery in HRQoL and RtW occur during the first 12 months, after which a plateau is reached, indicating a chronification for many patients. Contrary to this, however, psychopathological symptoms remain stable, except for depressive symptoms. [200 words].