Heterogeneity of Critical Illness: Exploring New Risk Factors for Severity of Disease in Intensive Care Patients. A Cohort Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying critically ill adult patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to understand the diverse disease states and severity patterns during their ICU stay. The study aims to explore how patient characteristics relate to the severity of organ failure, measured by the maximum SOFA score, and to assess quality of life one year after ICU discharge. This observational cohort study addresses gaps in understanding the causes behind different outcomes among critically ill patients and seeks common pathways across various diseases. Participants in this study will undergo standard diagnostic tests and care upon ICU admission, including physical examinations and ultrasound evaluations. Blood and urine samples will be collected at admission using existing arterial or venous lines to avoid extra procedures. The study includes follow-up evaluations by phone at six months and home visits at twelve months after ICU discharge to assess quality of life, with no additional burdens beyond standard care practices. Throughout the study, data will be collected during the ICU stay, with a maximum observation period of 90 days to monitor organ failure severity. Follow-up assessments at six and twelve months will measure patient quality of life. Most procedures align with routine clinical care, minimizing extra interventions. The study involves no direct treatment changes and focuses on collecting information to better understand risks and outcomes in the ICU setting over several years.

Heterogeneity of Critical Illness: a Cohort Study