What Researchers Did
Researchers analyzed the long-term functional outcomes and quality of life in 74 patients admitted to their ICU for necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) and treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy between 2007 and 2021.
What They Found
Of 74 identified patients, 29 died and five were lost to follow-up. Survivors, predominantly male with a median age of 62, experienced a median ICU stay of 10 days and a hospital stay of 50 days, with 59 (94%) being independent at admission.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients surviving necrotizing soft tissue infections can expect prolonged hospitalizations and potential long-term functional deficits. This highlights the importance of comprehensive rehabilitation and support services to improve their quality of life post-discharge.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is the loss of five patients to follow-up, which could impact the completeness of long-term outcome data.