ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Impaired Pre‐Critical Illness Quality of Life in Elderly Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Patients
Authors' conclusion
Compared to the age- and sex-matched general population, the elderly ICU population had poorer HRQoL before critical illness occurred.
Study context
- Population
- Mechanically ventilated ICU patients ≥ 65 years old, five ICUs (Norway)
- Participants
- 345 participants
- Exposure
- ICU population vs Norm population
- ICU populationn = 345
- Outcome
- Pre-critical illness health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (EQ-5D-5L dimensions, EQ-5D-5L index, EQ VAS) vs general population norms
- Follow-up
- Before critical illness (collected during ICU stay)
Methodological detailsmulticentre, five ICUs, age- and sex-matched comparison with general population norms
- Multicentre
- Five ICUs
- Age- and sex-matched comparison with general population norms
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Pre-critical illness HRQoL
| Group | Value | EQ VAS | No problems in any of the five domains | No problems in any of the five dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICU population | mean 0.78 ± 0.24 EQ-5D-5L index | 61 (±23) | 60 | |
| Norm population | mean 0.88 ± 0.17 EQ-5D-5L index | 79 (±20) | 107 |
Value
ICU populationmean 0.78 ± 0.24 EQ-5D-5L index
Norm populationmean 0.88 ± 0.17 EQ-5D-5L index
EQ VAS
ICU population61 (±23)
Norm population79 (±20)
No problems in any of the five domains
ICU population60
Norm population— not stated in the abstract
No problems in any of the five dimensions
ICU population— not stated in the abstract
Norm population107
- ICU population vs Norm population: P < 0.05 — significantly poorer scores for all EQ-5D-5L scores in the ICU population (Pearson chi-square or two-tailed t-tests)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Age subgroups (subgroup)
- Greatest differences in the younger age group 65-72 years
Predictors of baseline health status
- Comorbidity a strong independent predictor; chronological age showed no significant association
Original publication
Impaired Pre‐Critical Illness Quality of Life in Elderly ICU Patients. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. Published 26 July 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →