Long-Term Outcomes After ICU-Treated COVID-19 ARDS
Poland283 participantsStarted 2025-04-01
Plain-language summary
This observational cohort study describes long-term survival and patient-reported health after intensive care unit (ICU) treatment for COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in adults treated in a single center in Poland. The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. What is all-cause mortality up to 4 years after ICU admission for COVID-19-related ARDS?
2. Among long-term survivors, what are the health-related quality of life and functional outcomes approximately 4 years after ICU admission?
3. What rehabilitation use, return-to-work outcomes, and self-reported financial burden are reported during follow-up, and which acute-phase clinical and laboratory factors are associated with late mortality and long-term outcomes?
Participants did not receive any experimental intervention as part of this study. The study team collected clinical information from hospital and ICU records and conducted a structured telephone follow-up with survivors using standardized questionnaires (including EQ-5D-5L for quality of life, the modified Medical Research Council \[mMRC\] scale for breathlessness, and the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status \[PCFS\] scale for functional status), as well as questions about rehabilitation and work status.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
Baseline cohort (retrospective ICU cohort)
* Adults (≥18 years) admitted to the Temporary Hospital in Zielona Góra ICU between December 2020 and July 2021
* Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection
* COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
* Required invasive mechanical ventilation during ICU treatment
Prospective follow-up component (telephone interview):
* Confirmed alive at approximately 4 years after ICU admission
* Agreed to participate in a structured telephone interview (voluntary participation)
Exclusion Criteria:
Baseline cohort:
* None (no additional clinical exclusion criteria)
Prospective follow-up component (telephone interview):
* Declined participation in the telephone interview
* Unable to be reached after repeated contact attempts (non-responder)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This study tracked people who survived ICU treatment for COVID-19 ARDS for up to four years — what did the long-term mortality data show, and does it change anything about my own follow-up care plan?
2Since this trial has already completed and collected outcome data, has my doctor seen any of the published findings, and how might those results apply to my specific situation after ICU-level COVID-19 care?
3The study measured all-cause mortality at both 30 days and up to four years — does that longer-term data suggest there are ongoing health risks I should be watching for beyond the initial recovery period?
4Given that this was an observational study rather than a treatment trial, are there any standard-of-care treatments or monitoring protocols that my doctor would recommend based on what studies like this have found about post-ICU COVID-19 ARDS outcomes?
5Are there other active clinical trials or specialized post-ICU care programs that my doctor thinks might be worth exploring alongside or instead of relying on the findings from this completed study?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
All-Cause Mortality at 30 Days
Timeframe: 30 days after ICU admission
2
All-Cause Mortality up to 4 Years
Timeframe: From ICU admission up to 4 years after ICU admission