Recovery after acute illness after hospital discharge - a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND Long-term outcomes after acute medical and surgical illness are largely unknown. AIM To describe cognitive and physical function, health-related quality of life and risk of anxiety and depression after acute illness. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS Home visit at three and twelve months measuring: Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment tool, Short Form Health Survey, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Trail Making Test. RESULTS Of 101 included patients, 60 were visited at three and 36 at twelve months. The RBANS value was 84 (69-96) at three months and 88 (69-101) at twelve months. CONCLUSIONS We found a moderately reduced cognitive function three and twelve months after acute illness.