Quality of life after a critical illness: A review of general ICU studies 1998-2003

It is now acknowledged that a critical illness (CI) is a continuum that begins before an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and continues to impact on a patient's quality of life after they have been discharged home. Measuring health related quality of life (HRQOL) is a complex and difficult issue because of its multifaceted, subjective and dynamic nature. There has been a lack of consensus in the literature regarding the most appropriate methodological approaches and measuring instruments to use. This disparity has impeded comparison between studies, synthesis of the evidence base, and limited any resultant recommendations for practice.