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Intensive Care Medicine

Published in:

01-10-2005 | Systematic Review

Long-term survival from intensive care: a review

Authors: Teresa A. Williams, Geoffrey J. Dobb, Judith C. Finn, Steve A. R. Webb

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 10/2005

Abstract

Objective

To determine whether the long-term benefit of an ICU requires prolonged patient follow-up we reviewed long-term survival of patients from general ICUs.

Method

We carried out a computerised search of online databases Medline (1966–2004), Embase (1966–2004) and Cochrane Library (1966–2004) for studies reporting patients’ long-term survival for greater than 12 months from general ICUs.

Selected studies

We identified 19 studies that met the selection criteria. The casemix and severity of illness varied. Differences included the services provided, investigator inclusion/exclusion criteria and proportion of medical patients (range 13–79%).

Results

Mean reported ICU length of stay was 5.3 days. The study initiation time for follow-up varied (mostly from time of ICU admission), as did the duration of follow-up (16 months–13 years). ICU and hospital mortality rates ranged from 8% to 33% and 11% to 64%, respectively. The reported 5-year mortality ranged from 40% to 58%.

Conclusions

Well designed studies on long-term outcomes are needed to demonstrate the value of intensive care. Deficiencies in design, methodology, and reporting make interpretation and comparison difficult. Recommendations are made for the reporting of outcome from the ICU. Optimum duration of follow-up has not been determined.

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Title: Long-term survival from intensive care: a review
Authors: Teresa A. Williams
Geoffrey J. Dobb
Judith C. Finn
Steve A. R. Webb
Publication date: 01-10-2005
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 10/2005
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-005-2744-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Long-term survival from intensive care: a review

Abstract

Objective

Method

Selected studies

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Method

Selected studies

Results

Conclusions

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