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Surviving ARDS: the influence of quality of care and individual patient characteristics on health-related quality of life (DACAPO)

Background: The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is caused either by direct (e.g. pneumonia) or indirect insults (e.g. sepsis). ARDS is a life-threatening condition, resulting in intensive care-treatment with mechanical ventilation. In Germany, the incidence of ARDS is estimated at approx. 40.000 cases per year. Currently, about 60% of patients suffering from ARDS survive. However, surviving ARDS is often associated with increased risks of affective disorders (eg. depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)) and cognitive impairments as well as impaired health-related quality of life.

Aim: The primary aim of DACAPO is to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and return-to-work in survivors of ARDS in Germany. Predictive factors of HRQoL and return-to work will be identified in relation to quality of care and individual patient characteristics. The target is to include 2400 patients in the study.

Data collection: Quality of care will be evaluated in all health service institutions which provide curative and rehabilitation care to ARDS patients (ICUs, specialized ICUs, rehabilitation centres).

Individual patient characteristics comprise:

• medical parameters (disease severity, comorbidity, organ functioning , ventilation)
• sociodemographics (age, sex, socioeconomic status)
• psychosocial parameters (social support, symptoms of psychiatric disorders)

Medical and sociodemographic characteristics are assessed during patients’ stay in ICU whilstpsychosocial characteristics are assessed by self-report at follow-ups (referral from ICU, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months).

Funding: The study is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (FKZ: 01GY1340).

Study Protocol

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