TY - JOUR T1 - Health-related quality of life after automated or protocol-based weaning from mechanical ventilation JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - p2061 AU - Dirk Schädler AU - Laura Kaiser AU - Björn Malchow AU - Gunnar Elke AU - Sven Pulletz AU - Inez Frerichs AU - Jens Scholz AU - Thomas Küchler AU - Norbert Weiler Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p2061.abstract N2 - 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. ER -