Health-related quality of life and functional recovery after intensive care for sepsis in a national cohort
Authors' conclusion
In conclusion, in a Swedish national cohort of ICU patients surviving sepsis, HRQoL was low but improved over time. Severity of illness had minimal impact on HRQoL, while LoS and comorbidities were negative factors. Functional recovery in the form of days on sick leave showed a similar pattern.
Study context
- Population
- Adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients with sepsis in Sweden, 2008–2020with RAND-36 data
- Participants
- 14,006 patients
- Outcome
- HRQoL assessed with RAND-36 at follow-up after ICU discharge
Methodological detailsnational registry, serial health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessments
- National registry
- Serial HRQoL assessments
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
HRQoL (RAND-36)
- RAND-36 lower than Swedish population reference levels
- Males had higher RAND-36
- Age had varying associations
- Pre-ICU comorbidities associated with lower RAND-36
- Severity of illness associated with lower general health
- Invasive ventilation associated with higher RAND-36
- CRRT and LOS associated with lower RAND-36
- RAND-36 increased with time after ICU
- Sick-leave length associated with lower RAND-36
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Sick leave (working-age subpopulation)
- High levels of sick leave before ICU for sepsis, suggesting pre-existing vulnerability
- Sick leave increased after sepsis and did not return to baseline, suggesting incomplete functional recovery; risk factors lower education, female sex, comorbidities
Original publication
Health-related quality of life and functional recovery after intensive care for sepsis in a national cohort. Intensive Care Med. Published 23 June 2025. doi:10.
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