Evaluation of One-Year Survival and Quality of Life After Intensive Care: A Retrospective 5-Year Study

Background/Objective: The post-intensive care unit (ICU) period significantly impacts patients’ overall well-being, raising concerns among patients, families, healthcare professionals, and decision-makers. This study aims to evaluate 1-year survival rates, return to work, and daily functionality of individuals discharged from the ICU.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in a medical ICU, focusing on patients with a minimum 48-h ICU stay who were subsequently discharged from the hospital.

Results: The study included 154 patients with a median age of 51 (IQR: 34–68) years, of whom 79 (51%) were male. The 1-year mortality rate was 23.4%. Within the first year, rehospitalization occurred in 54.5%, and ICU readmission was observed in 20.1%. Notably, 89.8% of the patients were able to perform self-care activities, such as toileting and dressing. However, 63.6% of the patients had not returned to work within the first year. A comparison between patients requiring critical interventions and those who did not revealed a return-to-work rate of 21.4% for the former and 50% for the latter (p = 0.002).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that approximately one-quarter of patients treated in intensive care and discharged from the hospital died within 1 year. While a significant proportion (90%) could independently manage self-care tasks, the majority experienced delays in returning to work. These findings highlight the need for enhanced post-ICU care to improve patient outcomes.