Citation: Avgeri, K.; Zakynthinos, E.; Tsolaki, V.; Sgantzos, M.; Fotakopoulos, G.; Makris, D. Quality of Life and Family Support in Critically Ill Patients following ICU Discharge. Healthcare 2023, 11, 1106. https://doi.org/10.3390/ healthcare11081106 Academic Editor: Paolo Cotogni Received: 23 February 2023 Revised: 27 March 2023 Accepted: 9 April 2023 Published: 12 April 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). healthcare Article Quality of Life and Family Support in Critically Ill Patients following ICU Discharge Konstantina Avgeri, Epaminondas Zakynthinos, Vasiliki Tsolaki, Markos Sgantzos , George Fotakopoulos and Demosthenes Makris * Department of Medical School, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece * Correspondence: appollon7@hotmail.com; Tel.: +30-6943706079 Abstract: Background: Following discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU), critically ill patients may present cognitive dysfunction and physical disability. Objectives: To investigate the quality of life (QoL) of patients following discharge from ICU, physical performance and lung function and to assess the role of support by family members and friends. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the University Hospital of Larissa Greece between 2020 and 2021. Patients hospitalized at the ICU for at least 48 h were included and assessed at hospital discharge, at 3 and at 12 months later. The research implements of the study were a dedicated questionnaire and the SF-36 health questionnaire for the appraisal of the QoL. Lung function changes were assessed by spirometry and physical performance by the 6-min walking test (6MWT). Results: One hundred and forty-three participants were included in the study. The mean (SD) of the physical and mental health SF-36 scores at hospital discharge, 3 and 12 months were 27.32 (19.59), 40.97 (26.34) and 50.78 (28.26) (p < 0.0001) and 42.93 (17.00), 55.19 (23.04) and 62.24 (23.66), (p < 0.0001), respectively. The forced expiratory volume in one second and 6MWT significantly improved over 12 months. Patients who were supported by two or more family members or patients who were visited by their friends >3 times/week presented better scores in the physical and mental SF36 domains at 12 months. Conclusion: This study shows that the quality of life of Greek patients who were discharged from the ICU can be positively affected both by the support they receive from their family environment and friends. Keywords: ICU; patients’ support; family support; PICS; quality of life; critical care 1. Introduction Intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization is a considerably stressful situation both for patients and their families [1,2] and has various physical and mental implications. Patients following ICU management may present reduced lung function [3], neuromuscular dysfunction, anxiety and depression. Six months following ICU discharge, patients showed reduced functional and pulmonary capacity, while an improvement was observed at 12 months after discharge [3]. These disorders in physical, intellectual and mental health have been described as post-ICU traumatic syndrome [1] and may be present for years, compromising the QoL of patients [4,5]. Family members may have an important role in the management of a critical illness, because they are often responsible for making decisions that the patients are unable to make on their own. Studies show that more than 50% of patients have to be taken care of by family members [6,7]. In this respect, family members’ support is pivotal in improving the patients’ health by contributing to quality care [8]. In turn, this has an impact on the lives of those family members. Indeed, when a patient is at the ICU in critical condition, family members may also suffer from symptoms such as anxiety, acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and complicated grief [9]. In this respect, the long-term impact of a critical disease on the QoL of both patients and family and the role of family in supporting critical care patients are important Healthcare 2023, 11, 1106. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11081106 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/healthcare