Article

OBJECTIVE: To study factors related to quality of life after a hypoxic period due
to cardiac arrest. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: Eighty-eight
survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, admitted to a Dutch academic
hospital between 2001 and 2006. METHODS: Patients received a set of
questionnaires at home.
The main outcome measures were physical and mental
quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey; SF-36).
Potential determinants were cognitive complaints, emotional problems
depression/anxiety), post-traumatic stress, fatigue, daily functioning and
participation in society. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed with
physical and mental quality of life as dependent variables. RESULTS: Sixty-three
(72%) patients responded. Mean time since cardiac arrest was 36 months (standard
deviation (SD) 19). Backward regression analyses showed that physical quality of
life was significantly (p < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.531) related to cognitive
complaints (beta = -0.378), instrumental daily life activities (beta = 0.262),
post-traumatic stress (beta = -0.246) and fatigue (beta = -0.226). Mental quality
of life was significantly (p < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.664) explained by
anxiety/depression (beta = -0.609), fatigue (beta = -0.177) and cognitive
complaints (beta = -0.175). CONCLUSION: Quality of life is related to cognitive
complaints, fatigue, anxiety/depression, post-traumatic stress and difficulties
in daily activities in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Rehabilitation programmes for this group should specifically address these topics.

Langue : ANGLAIS