RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Health-related quality of life after automated or protocol-based weaning from mechanical ventilation
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p2061
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Dirk Schädler
A1 Laura Kaiser
A1 Björn Malchow
A1 Gunnar Elke
A1 Sven Pulletz
A1 Inez Frerichs
A1 Jens Scholz
A1 Thomas Küchler
A1 Norbert Weiler
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p2061.abstract
AB Introduction: Although automated weaning systems have shown to be safe and more efficient than a conventional approach, it is unknown whether they influence health-related quality of life (HRQOL).Objective: We hypothesized that automated weaning with SmartCare/PS compared with a standardized weaning protocol has a positive effect on HRQOL.Methods: Patients were systematically followed-up one year after participation in a randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of automated versus protocol-driven weaning from mechanical ventilation (ASOPI-trial; clinicaltrials.gov ID 00445289). Quality of life was assessed using QLQ C-30 3.0 questionnaire. Mean differences of equal or more than 10 score points were considered to be clinically relevant.Results: 300 patients were initially included, 232 patients were alive one year later. We were able to get into contact with 143 patients, 127 patients gave consent to fill out the questionnaire. 81 questionnaires were sent back and included into this analysis. Regarding the function-related scales we found clinically significant higher mean score values for “emotion” and “global health status” in the automated weaning group (Figure 1, Panel A). Symptom-related scales like “fatique” and “diarrhoea” were clinically significant lower in the SmartCare/PS-group (Figure 1, Panel B).Figure 1Conclusions: This study shows an improved HRQOL in the automated weaning group.