Daily Physical Functioning Research Articles

Locomotive Syndrome Relation to Daily Physical Activity, Physical Function, and Body Composition in Elderly People: A Pilot Study

Locomotive Syndrome Relation to Daily Physical Activity, Physical Function, and Body Composition in Elderly People: A Pilot Study

Rehabilitation of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most commonly inherited neuromuscular diseases causing progressive muscle weakness; contracture; deformity in the feet, legs, and hands; and impairments of ambulation and handgrip. Reduced physical ability can be attributed not only to the disease but also to physical deconditioning. Previously, most physicians in the field of rehabilitation were anxious about the hypothesis of overwork weakness in CMT, and did not conduct intensive exercise programs for patients with CMT. However, recent studies have reported that progressive resistance strengthening programs for lower extremities are feasible, safe, beneficial, and improve exercise intolerance and undue fatigue in patients with CMT. Although the improvement in exercise tolerance may be partly due to the reversal of deconditioning effect of related sedentary lifestyle, progressive resistance training and physical fitness can improve walking function, activities of daily living, and subjective perception of pain and fatigue in patients with CMT. To increase the daily physical function, some studies described the potential benefits of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs); however, no control study supported it. So far, the training programs on CMT have been dependent on the exercise programs for able-bodied individuals. To increase the effects of rehabilitation, optimal programs that combine the training protocol and AFO strategies will have to be designed for patients with CMT.

The Polish MacNew heart disease heath-related quality of life questionnaire: a validation study.

The MacNew health-related quality of life questionnaire was designed to assess feelings about how heart disease affects their daily physical, emotional and social functioning in patients with 1 of the 3 major coronary artery diagnoses, stable coronary artery disease (CAD) with angina, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and ischemic heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the Polish version of the MacNew in patients with CAD. Patients with CAD completed a self-report sociodemographic and clinical ques-tionnaire: the MacNew, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey, and HADS at baseline; 10% of the patients completed each questionnaire 2 weeks later. We studied patients with stable CAD with angina (n = 115), with STEMI (n = 112), and with ischemic HF (n = 105). Internal consistency reliability was demonstrated with Cronbach's a from 0.86 to 0.95 for the MacNew global scale and subscales. The original 3-factor structure was confirmed for the Polish version of the MacNew explaining 53.5% of the variance. Convergent validity of similar MacNew and SF-36 subscales was confirmed in the total group and in each diagnosis. Discriminant validity with the SF-36 health transition was fully confirmed in the total group and in patients with HF and partially confirmed in patients with stable CAD with angina or myocardial infarction. The Polish MacNew health-related quality of life questionnaire can be recommended in patients with stable CAD with angina, myocardial infarction and HF.

Season physical functioning dynamic of men with different physical condition

Purpose: study season peculiarities of physical functioning of men with different physical condition. Material: in the research 53 men of 41-55 years’ age without chronic disease, who practiced healthy life style, participated. It was assessed: daily physical functioning of different intensity with the help of bio-register BASIS B1; body mass index; adaptation potential of Bayevskiy. Results: we determined that men with normal adaptation potential have less quantity of highly intensive steps than men with excessively tensed adaptation potential of cardio-vascular system. Men with tensed adaptation potential have less expressed season changes in physical functioning. Conclusions: We found the following optimal correlations: total quantity of steps per day; quantity of steps with average intensity (80-86 steps per min.); total run steps of high intensity (140-145 steps per min.); quantity of low intensity steps (8-10 steps per min.).

Daily physical activity and physical function in adult maintenance hemodialysis patients.

BackgroundMaintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients reportedly display reduced daily physical activity (DPA) and physical performance. Low daily physical activity and decreased physical performance are each associated with worse outcomes in chronic kidney disease patients. Although daily physical activity and physical performance might be expected to be related, few studies have examined such relationships in MHD patients, and methods for examining daily physical activity often utilized questionnaires rather than activity monitors. We hypothesized that daily physical activity and physical performance are reduced and correlated with each other even in relatively healthier MHD patients.MethodsDaily physical activity, 6-min walk distance (6-MWT), sit-to-stand, and stair-climbing tests were measured in 72 MHD patients (32 % diabetics) with limited comorbidities and 39 normal adults of similar age and gender mix. Daily physical activity was examined by a physical activity monitor. The human activity profile was also employed.ResultsDaily physical activity with the activity monitor, time-averaged over 7 days, and all three physical performance tests were impaired in MHD patients, to about 60–70 % of normal values (p < 0.0001 for each measurement). Human activity profile scores were also impaired (p < 0.0001). MHD patients spent more time sleeping or in marked physical inactivity (p < 0.0001) and less time in ≥ moderate activity (p < 0.0001). These findings persisted when comparisons to normals were restricted to men or women separately. After adjustment, daily physical activity correlated with 6-MWT but not the two other physical performance tests. Human activity profile scores correlated more closely with all three performance tests than did DPA.ConclusionsEven in relatively healthy MHD patients, daily physical activity and physical performance are substantially impaired and correlated. Whether training that increases daily physical activity or physical performance will improve clinical outcome in MHD patients needs to be examined.

Factors Influencing Adult Physical Health after Controlling for Current Health Conditions: Evidence from a British Cohort

This study explored a longitudinal data set of 6875 British adults examining the effects of parental social status (measured at birth), cognitive ability (at age 11 yrs), personality traits, education and occupational attainment on physical health and functioning (all measured at age 50 yrs), after taking account of current health conditions (number of illness). Correlation analysis showed that parental social class, childhood cognitive ability, education and occupation, and two personality traits (Emotional Stability/Neuroticism, and Conscientiousness) were all significantly associated with adult physical health variables. Structural equation modelling showed that health conditions and personality traits were significantly, and inversely, associated with physical health (indicated by good daily physical functioning, relative absence of pain, perceived health, and low level of limitations at work due to physical health). Parental social status, childhood intelligence, educational and occupational attainment were all modestly, but significantly and directly, associated with adult physical health. The effect of childhood intelligence on adult physical health was, in part, mediated through Emotional Stability and Conscientiousness. After controlling for health conditions Emotional Stability was the strongest predictor of physical health. Implications and limitations are discussed.

Daily physical function and frailty in persons with Parkinson's disease : a focus on females

Persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) are often excluded from frailty studies, and thus little is known about how frailty influences decline in physiological capacity in persons with PD. Impaired physiological capacity impacts the ability to remain physically active, which reduces physical function that is necessary for independent living. The overall purpose of this dissertation was to examine physiological capacity (i.e., muscle activation patterns) and physical activity in males and females with PD during routine daily activities to determine whether they influence physical function and frailty. An extensive literature review of sex differences in PD highlighted that greater declines in gait speed, balance, and motor function occur in females compared with males. This dissertation demonstrated persons with PD, especially females with PD, were weaker and have less muscle quiescence, as measured with gaps in the electromyography, compared with controls and males with PD. These results provide insight int...

Daily physical function and frailty in persons with Parkinson's disease: a focus on females

Persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) are often excluded from frailty studies, and thus little is known about how frailty influences decline in physiological capacity in persons with PD. Impaired physiological capacity impacts the ability to remain physically active, which reduces physical function that is necessary for independent living. The overall purpose of this dissertation was to examine physiological capacity (i.e., muscle activation patterns) and physical activity in males and females with PD during routine daily activities to determine whether they influence physical function and frailty. An extensive literature review of sex differences in PD highlighted that greater declines in gait speed, balance, and motor function occur in females compared with males. This dissertation demonstrated persons with PD, especially females with PD, were weaker and have less muscle quiescence, as measured with gaps in the electromyography, compared with controls and males with PD. These results provide insight into mechanisms (i.e., physiological capacity) that determine PD and sex-related declines in functional performance. In addition, greater muscle activity and less quiescence in females with PD may perpetuate frailty through increased muscle fatigue and slowness of movement. Females with PD are more vulnerable to prefrailty than males and factors that are associated with frailty are quality of life (QoL) and self-reported exhaustion. The neuromuscular changes associated with frailty exacerbate PD, which may create greater muscle fatigue that results in self-reported exhaustion. In conclusion, research presented within this dissertation demonstrates that addressing frailty in PD is important, especially in females who are at greater risk for functional decline. This research presents new knowledge by suggesting that frail females with PD remain physically active during daily life and that disease management may better reflect frailty than disease severity or duration. Understanding how frailty concurrently exists with PD and how these conditions progress within the aging adult may enhance identification and implementation of management strategies aimed at improving functional independence and QoL.

Differentiating positive and negative self-rated health: results from a cross-sectional study in Estonia

To examine possible differences in the correlates of positive and negative self-rated health (SRH). Data for 2,127 men and 2,385 women in the 25-74 age group came from the Estonian Health Interview Survey 2006. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to study the association of socio-demographic, physical and psychological health and well-being characteristics with positive (good or very good) and negative (bad or very bad) SRH as compared to fair SRH. Negative SRH was related to male gender, the presence of chronic illnesses, limitations in daily activities and physical functioning, emotional distress, an external locus of control, and to low satisfaction with life and physical fitness. These indicators (except satisfaction with life) were also related to positive SRH, presenting a mirrored pattern of association. Additionally, positive SRH was related to younger age, an Estonian ethnic identity, and to higher education and income. Although SRH forms a ill/healthy continuum when physical and psychological health characteristics are considered, the broader spectrum of predictors indicates that positive SRH and negative SRH are two distinct and alternative concepts.

Daily Changes in Pain, Mood and Physical Function in Youth Hospitalized for Sickle Cell Disease Pain

Youth with sickle cell disease (SCD) are commonly hospitalized for treatment of painful vaso-occlusive episodes (VOE). However, limited data are available concerning the course of hospitalization for these children and adolescents and, in particular, whether daily changes occur in pain, emotional status and physical function. To characterize changes in daily pain intensity, physical function and mood over the course of hospitalization, and to determine whether specific clinical characteristics were associated with these changes. Daily ratings of pain (0 to 10 numerical rating scale) and mood (Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children) were completed by 25 youth (11 to 20 years of age) with SCD over a total of 152 days (mean [± SD] = 6.7±5.6 days) of hospitalization. Trained raters determined each youth's daily physical function. Linear mixed modelling was used to examine changes in pain, mood and physical function during hospital stay. The rate of change over the course of hospitalization was significant for reductions in pain intensity (P<0.001) and improvements in physical (motor) function (P=0.001). Positive affect over time was significantly associated with subjects' physical function scores (B 0.24 [95% CI 0.12 to 0.35]) but not with their pain scores. In contrast, negative affect was positively associated with pain and inversely associated with physical function scores (B 1.58 [95% CI 0.23 to 2.93]). The results of the present study demonstrated that children made daily improvements in physical function and pain over hospitalization for VOE. Mood was related to changes in pain and physical recovery. Assessment of physical function and mood during hospitalization may help guide strategies to better understand the pain experience in youth with SCD hospitalized with VOE.

Physical activity and other health-related factors predict health care utilisation in older adults

Health care utilisation (HCU) can be a useful outcome for estimating costs and patient needs. It can also be used as a surrogate parameter for healthy ageing. The aim of this study was to analyse the associations of formerly described and potentially new parameters influencing health care utilisation in older adults in Germany. The ActiFE Ulm (Activity and Function in the Elderly in Ulm) study is a population-based study in 1,506 community dwelling older adults aged 65-90 years in Ulm and surrounding areas in southwestern Germany. Between March 2009 and April 2010 a full geriatric assessment was performed including accelerometer-based average daily walking duration, comorbidity, medication, physical and psychological functioning, health care utilisation, sociodemographic factors etc. The association between above named measures and health care utilisation, represented by the number of drugs, the days in hospital and the number of physician contacts over one year was calculated in multiple regression models. Analysis was conducted among subjects with complete information (n = 1,059, mean age 76 years, 55% male). The average number of drugs was 4.5 and over 95% of participants visited a physician at least once a year while still more than 65% contacted their physician more than twice a year. Reduced physical activity, BMI, self-rated health and/or comorbidity and male sex were the best predictors of health care utilisation in community dwelling older adults when looking at both the number of drugs and the number of physician contacts over 12 months together. With regard to single diseases entities the best predictors of both the number of drugs and the number of physician contacts were asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/chronic bronchitis and chronic neurological diseases (mostly Parkinson's disease). The number of drugs was most strongly associated with coronary heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Reduced walking activity, self-rated health and/or comorbidity and male sex are the best predictors of health care utilisation as measured by the number of drugs and number of physician contacts over 12 months. Walking activity could be regarded as the most promising modifiable predictor of HCU in older adults.

Feasibility of using pedometers to measure daily step counts in cystic fibrosis and an assessment of its responsiveness to changes in health state

BackgroundEvaluation of physical activity is integral to the assessment of daily physical function and a potential objective outcome measure for clinical trials. We evaluated the feasibility of using pedometers to measure physical activity in adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) and assessed the responsiveness of its measurement to changes in health state. MethodsParticipants were recruited through two CF clinics in Seattle, WA. Subjects were instructed to use their pedometer for at least one ill and two well periods (each lasting 7days). Step rate was calculated as steps per hour of use. Daily symptoms were also recorded using the CF Respiratory Symptom Diary (CFRSD). Generalized estimating equation linear regression was used to compare mean step rate between health states and by self-reported symptom category. ResultsWe enrolled 30 CF patients with a mean (±SD) age of 22 (±7) years and a mean forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) of 57% (±25%) predicted. The mean period step rate increased from 397 (95% CI 324–497) steps/hour when ill to 534 (95% CI 413–654) steps/hour when well (p=0.015). Pedometer-recorded step rate also correlated with self-reported physical activity items on the CFRSD. ConclusionStep rate measured with a pedometer correlates significantly with changes in health status and self-reported activity, and could be used as an outcome measure in CF.

Treatment Options for Sleep Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease

Sleep disturbance is an important feature of Parkinson's disease (PD) that deserves clinical attention. Various disorders need to be considered and treatment should be customized to the patient's specific symptoms and lifestyle. Evaluation of a PD patient complaining of difficulty sleeping begins with a detailed history from the patient and bed partner about the specific problem the patient is experiencing. It is important to inquire about difficulties with sleep onset, frequent awakenings, increased movements during sleep, acting out dreams, uncomfortable motor symptoms, disordered breathing, and nocturia. Current medications should be reviewed to determine whether the recent addition of a drug or a change in dose may be contributing to sleep difficulties, and one should ask about daytime sleepiness, frequent daytime naps, and sleep hygiene in the evening that can contribute to problems sleeping at night. The goal of therapy is to restore quality nighttime sleep without excessive daytime sedation and to improve the patient's daily mental and physical function and overall quality of life.

Acceptance, appraisals, and coping in relation to migraine headache: an evaluation of interrelationships using daily diary methods

Acceptance and chronic pain is an emerging topic both for research and intervention. Initial studies have demonstrated that acceptance is correlated with higher quality of daily emotional, social, and physical functioning in chronic pain populations. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the nature of the relationship between acceptance, appraisals that are relevant to chronic pain (i.e., control and catastrophizing), and coping among migraine headache sufferers. Seventy four participants with migraine headaches completed self report measures assessing appraisal, coping strategies, acceptance, and pain related disability. Sixty three participants also completed a 28-day daily dairy assessing headache activity, catastrophizing, control, acceptance, and coping strategies. Hierarchical regression and multilevel modeling were used to examine the relations between these variables. Results indicated that higher levels of pain-related acceptance were associated with lower levels of catastrophizing and pain-related interference, and increased perceived control. Participants who endorsed higher levels of pain-related acceptance also reported engaging in a higher level of activity and indicated they used fewer coping strategies on a daily basis. Acceptance continues to show promise as a way of viewing pain that lessens the detrimental impact of certain types of thoughts (i.e., catastrophizing), and leads to increased participation in daily life.

Adult Day Health Center Participation and Health-Related Quality of Life

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between Adult Day Health Center (ADHC) participation and health-related quality of life. Case-controlled prospective study utilizing the Medical Outcomes Survey Form 36 (SF-36) to compare newly enrolled participants from 16 ADHC programs with comparable community-dwelling older adults who did not attend an ADHC. Assessments were conducted at study enrollment, 6 and 12 months. ADHC participants (n = 57) and comparison group subjects (n = 67) were similar at baseline in age, ethnic diversity, medical conditions, depression, cognition, immigration history, education, income, and marital status. Significantly more comparison group subjects lived alone (p = .002). One year after enrollment, the SF-36 domains role physical and role emotional improved significantly. Adjusted role physical scores for ADHC participants improved (23 vs. 36) but declined for the comparison group (38 vs. 26, time by group interaction p = .01), and role emotional scores improved for ADHC participants (62 vs.70) but declined for the comparison group (65 vs. 48, time by group interaction p = .02). Secondary analyses revealed that changes in daily physical functioning, depressed affect, or cognitive functioning did not explain the improvements found in role physical and role emotional scores for ADHC participants. No significant differences in trends for the 2 groups occurred for the SF-36 domains physical functioning, social functioning, and mental health. ADHC participation may enhance older adults' quality of life. Quality of life may be a key measure to inform care planning, program improvement, and policy development of ADHC.

Platinum-based combination chemotherapy in the treatment of older non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (pts): Is there a role for Complete Geriatric Assessment (CGA)? Final results from the prospective multicenter NVALT-3 study

e20547 Background: Nearly 50% of NSCLC pts are aged over 70 years, but only few receive combination chemotherapy. CGA is often advocated to assess the benefits and risks of chemotherapy in older pts. Methods: A total of 182 NSCLC pts ≥ 70 years with stage IIIb/IV disease were randomized to 4 cycles carboplatin/gemcitabine (CG) or carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP). Primary endpoint was change in QoL at week18. At baseline, CGA was performed with nine different tests. Toxicity (tox) was scored using NCI-CTC v2. Tox related outcomes were defined as all grade III/IV tox, SAEs, ≥ grade II neurological or neuropsychiatric (NP) tox and the ability to finish all cycles. Relationship of CGA and QoL scores with tox endpoints were investigated. Results: Median age was 74 yrs (70–87). PS was 0 in 30%, 1 in 54% and 2 in 17%. Median OS was 8.6 mo (95% CI, 7.2–10.2) for CG and 6.9 mo (95% CI, 5.6–10.0) for CP. Median PFS was 4.7 mo (95% CI, 3.9–5.8) for CG and 4.5 mo (95% CI, 4.1–5.3) for CP. One year survival was 29% (95% CI, 21–41%) for CG and 23% (95% CI, 16–35%) for CP. There was no difference in the change in global QoL between arms. Quality-adjusted survival curves were not different. PS was prognostic, but not different for both arms. Pts with better Activities of Daily Living (ADL), instrumental ADL, or physical functioning were more likely to finish all chemotherapy cycles. Pts with worse emotional or role functioning or Geriatric Depression Score were more likely to experience NP tox. None of the CGA or QoL summary scores were associated with the occurrence of the other tox endpoints at p&lt; 0.01. Conclusions: Carboplatinum based combination chemotherapy in older NSCLC pts is feasible. The choice for adding paclitaxel or gemcitabine to carboplatin cannot be made based on effects on QoL. CGA predicts toxicity to a limited extent but does not add substantial information to PS. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Illness consequences after myocardial infarction: problems with physical functioning and return to work

This paper is a report of a study to explore health problems, physical and mental functioning, and physical activity in working-age patients after myocardial infarction, in order to assess the possible effects of these factors on return to work. A diagnosis of myocardial infarction may discourage patients from continuing an active working life. Enabling myocardial infarction patients to return to work has benefits for both individuals and society. A convenience sample was recruited of 88 patients, <or=65 years of age, who had suffered a myocardial infarction. Assessments of employment, health-related quality of life and physical activity (footsteps per day) were conducted in 2005-2006, 4-6 months after myocardial infarction. To explore data and compare groups, t-tests were applied. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables that best predicted return to work. Differences were identified between individuals who were employed after myocardial infarction and those who were not. Those not in work scored lower on variables related to the physical dimension of health-related quality of life and on physical activity. Logistic regression revealed that a multivariate model including age, physical dimension of health-related quality of life and footsteps per day predicted return to work in 68% of all cases (R2=0.344). Low physical health and low physical activity after myocardial infarction negatively affect returning to work. These findings stress the importance of clinical assessment of myocardial infarction patients' daily physical activity and physical functioning.

Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain

To examine the effect of abuse history, other major trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on medical symptoms and health-related daily functioning in women with chronic pelvic pain. We administered a questionnaire to 713 consecutive women seen in a referral-based pelvic pain clinic. We found that 46.8% reported having either a sexual or physical abuse history. A total of 31.3% had a positive screen for PTSD. Using regression and path analysis, controlling for demographic variables, we found that a trauma history was associated with worse daily physical functioning due to poor health (P<.001), more medical symptoms (P<.001), more lifetime surgeries (P<.001), more days spent in bed (P<.001), and more dysfunction due to pain (P<.001). Furthermore, a positive screen for PTSD was highly related to most measures of poor health status (P<.001) and somewhat explained the trauma-related poor health status. The association of trauma with poor health may be due in part to the development of PTSD resulting from trauma. These findings demonstrate the importance of screening for trauma and PTSD in women with chronic pelvic pain. II.

Association between daily pain and physical function among old–old adults living in the community: Results from the ilSIRENTE study

Little is known about the impact of pain on physical function among old–old subjects. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess the association of daily pain with muscle strength and physical performance in a population of subjects aged 80 or older living in the community. We used data from baseline evaluation of the ilSIRENTE Study. Muscle strength was measured by hand grip strength. Physical performance was assessed using the physical performance battery score, which is based on three timed tests: 4-m walking speed, balance, and chair stand tests. Daily pain was defined as any type of pain or discomfort in any part of the body manifested every day over the 7 days preceding the assessment. Mean age of 273 participants was 85.1 (SD 4.6) years, 181 (66.3%) were women and 150 (54.9%) reported daily pain. After adjustment for potential confounders, participants with daily pain had lower grip strength and physical performance battery score (indicating worse performance) than other participants (hand grip strength: daily pain 31.5 kg, SE 1.4, no daily pain 35.0, SE 1.1, p = 0.02; physical performance battery score: daily pain 6.5, SE 0.3, no daily pain 7.2, SE 0.3, p = 0.05). Both hand grip strength and physical performance battery score progressively declined as pain severity increased. In conclusion, the present study shows that among old–old subjects living in the community, daily pain is highly prevalent and that this condition is associated with impaired muscle strength and physical performance.

Effects of prolonged intensive care unit stay on quality of life and long-term survival after transthoracic esophageal resection

There are few prospective data on the effects of prolonged intensive care unit stay on the quality of life and long-term survival of a homogeneous patient population. Therefore, the aims of this prospective study were a) to describe the quality of life in patients after having a transthoracic esophageal resection; and b) to analyze the influences of a prolonged intensive care unit stay on quality of life and survival in patients after esophageal cancer resection who survived to hospital discharge. Prospective study. Medical center. The study population consisted of 109 patients undergoing a transthoracic resection for adenocarcinoma of the middistal esophagus or gastric cardia between April 1994 and February 2000. None. A comparison was made between patients staying <or=5 days vs. >or=6 days in the intensive care unit and also <or=2 days vs. >or=14 days. Quality of life was assessed in all patients by mailed self-report questionnaires at baseline (preoperatively), at 5 wks, and at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months after surgery. Daily physical, emotional, and social functioning was assessed with the generic Medical Outcome Studies Short Form-20. Disease-specific quality of life was measured by an adapted Rotterdam Symptom Check List. Quality of life data were gathered between July 1994 and March 2003. Five of the 109 patients died in the hospital and were excluded from the analysis. All five of them were in the intensive care unit >or=6 days. Of the remaining 104 patients, 92 provided baseline scores. The data of the 92 patients were used for the quality of life analyses. For the clinicopathologic and survival analysis, the data of 104 hospital survivors were used. Patients spent a median of 5.5 days (range 0-71) in the intensive care unit. The Medical Outcome Studies Short Form-20 and the Rotterdam Symptom Check List measurements showed no clear differences in long-term quality of life between patients after a short vs. a prolonged postoperative intensive care unit period. The median overall survival in all patients was 2.0 yrs (range 0.1-8.0). Median overall survival in patients staying in the intensive care unit <or=5 days was 1.9 yrs (range 0.3-7.4 yrs) vs. 2.7 yrs (range 0.9-7.2 yrs) in patients staying >or=6 days (p = .9, log-rank test). Median overall survival in patients staying in the intensive care unit <or=2 days was 1.7 yrs (range 1.2-2.6 yrs) vs. 2.0 yrs (range 0.2-3.8 yrs) in patients staying >or=14 days (p = .74, log-rank test). For patients who survived to hospital discharge after transthoracic esophagectomy, there was no difference in long-term quality of life or survival between those submitted to the intensive care unit for a short period vs. a long period.