Pulmonary function and health-related quality of life in survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome

Although survival rates for acute respiratory distress syndrome have increased, there is only limited information regarding the quality of life and the relationship between quality of life and pulmonary function after survival. We prospectively measured pulmonary function, emotional function, and health-related quality of life in a cohort of acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors recruited from patients who were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of high versus low tidal volume mechanical ventilation at I year after their recovery. No significant differences were found between the patients treated with high and low tidal volumes on any pulmonary function measure. Approximately 80% of the patients in both groups demonstrated reduced diffusing capacity; 20% had airflow obstruction, and 20% had chest restriction. Scores on measures of depression and anxiety were within the normal ranges, suggesting that they did not have significant affective symptoms. However, both groups reported decreased health-related quality of life in physical functioning, physical ability to maintain their roles (role-physical), bodily pain, general health, and vitality (energy) on the Medical Outcome Study Short Form Health Survey with similar physical limitations reported on the Sickness Impact Profile questionnaire. The pulmonary function abnormalities correlated with decreased health-related quality of life for domains reflecting physical function. Acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors treated with high and low tidal volumes have abnormal pulmonary function that was related to decreased health-related quality of life I year after hospital discharge.