CHANGES IN QUALITY-OF-LIFE AFTER INTENSIVE-CARE - COMPARISON WITH NORMAL DATA

The Short Form 36 was used to compare critically ill patients' premorb id quality of life with normal values and investigate any changes foll owing 6 months convalescence. One hundred and sixty-six survivors comp leted the Short Form 36 at discharge from intensive care. The answers given by survivors were significantly lower than normal for all dimens ions. However, 21 patients who suffered from acute life-threatening co nditions were identified and their overall scores were similar to norm al values. After 6 months, 95 questionnaires were returned. Patients w ho had suffered acute pathologies reported significant decreases in qu ality of life whilst other patients with pre-existing ill health repor ted significant improvement with reduced pain and better mental health , vitality and social function. This study suggests that quality of li fe of most patients admitted to intensive care is not as good as in th e normal population but does not deteriorate except for those patients admitted after acute life-threatening events.