Non-sedation-Does it improve health-related quality of life after critical illness? A 3-month follow-up sub-study of the NONSEDA trial.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Critical illness is associated with severely impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for years following discharge. The NONSEDA trial was a multicenter randomized trial on non-sedation versus sedation with a daily wake-up trial in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients in Scandinavia. The aim of this sub-study was to assess the effect of non-sedation on HRQoL and degree of independence in activities in daily living (ADL) 3 months post-ICU. METHODS: All survivors were asked to complete the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) and the Barthel Index 3 months post-ICU. To limit missing data, reminders were sent. If unsuccessful, telephone interviews could be used. Outcomes were the level of HRQoL and ADL-function in each group. All outcomes were assessed blinded. RESULTS: Of the 700 patients included 412 survived to follow-up. A total of 344 survivors participated (82%). Baseline data were equal between the two groups. Mean SF-36 scores for the non-sedated vs sedated patients were as follows Physical Function 45 vs 40, P = .69, Bodily Pain 61 vs 52, P = .81, General Health 50 vs 50, P = .84, Vitality 42 vs 44, P = .85, Social Function 75 vs 63, P = .85, Role Emotional 58 vs 50, P = .82, Mental Health 70 vs 70, P = .89, Role Physical 25 vs 28, P = .32, Physical Component Score 38 vs 37, P = .81, Mental Component Score 48 vs 46, P = .94, Barthel Index 20 vs 20, P = .74. CONCLUSION: Randomization to non-sedation neither improved nor impaired health-related quality of life or degree of independence in activities in daily living 3 months post-ICU discharge.