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Purpose This systematic review was performed to identify all relevant health-related quality of life (HRQoL) issues associated with COVID-19. Methods A systematic literature search was undertaken in April 2020. In four teams of three reviewers each, all abstracts were independently reviewed for inclusion by two reviewers. Using a pre-defined checklist of 93 criteria for each publication, data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers and subsequently compared and discussed. If necessary, a third reviewer resolved any discrepancies. The search was updated in February 2021 to retrieve new publications on HRQoL issues including issues related to the long-term consequences of COVID-19. Results The search in April 2020 identified 3342 potentially relevant publications, and 339 publications were selected for full-text review and data extraction. We identified 75 distinct symptoms and other HRQoL issues categorized into 12 thematic areas; from general symptoms such as fever, myalgia, and fatigue, to neurological and psychological issues. The updated search revealed three extra issues experienced during active disease and long-term problems with fatigue, psychological issues and impaired cognitive function. Conclusion This first comprehensive systematic review provides a detailed overview of the wide range of HRQoL issues experienced by patients with COVID-19 throughout the course of the disease. It demonstrates the devastating impact of the disease and provides critically important information for clinicians, to enable them to better recognize the disease and to provide knowledge important for treatment and follow-up. The results provided the foundation for the international development of a COVID-19 specific patient-reported HRQoL questionnaire.

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Background Norwegian hospitals have operated within capacity during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We present patient and management characteristics, and outcomes for the entire cohort of adult (>18 years) COVID‐19 patients admitted to Norwegian intensive care units (ICU) from 10 March to 19 June 2020. Methods Data were collected from The Norwegian intensive care and pandemic registry (NIPaR). Demographics, co‐morbidities, management characteristics and outcomes are described. ICU length of stay (LOS) was analysed with linear regression, and associations between risk factors and mortality were quantified using Cox regression. Results In total, 217 patients were included. The male to female ratio was 3:1 and the median age was 63 years. A majority (70%) had one or more co‐morbidities, most frequently cardiovascular disease (39%), chronic lung disease (22%), diabetes mellitus (20%), and obesity (17%). Most patients were admitted for acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (AHRF) (91%) and invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) was used in 86%, prone ventilation in 38% and 25% of patients received a tracheostomy. Vasoactive drugs were used in 79% and renal replacement therapy in 15%. Median ICU LOS and time of MV was 14.0 and 12.0 days. At end of follow‐up 45 patients (21%) were dead. Age, co‐morbidities and severity of illness at admission were predictive of death. Severity of AHRF and male gender were associated with LOS. Conclusions In this national cohort of COVID‐19 patients, mortality was low and attributable to known risk factors. Importantly, prolonged length‐of‐stay must be taken into account when planning for resource allocation for any next surge.

Findings suggest that clinicians need to use a multidimensional symptom assessment tool in women with breast cancer at the initiation of RT.

Objective: To explore the experience of intensive care nurses when participating in the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments from intensive care unit patients. Design and methods:A qualitative descriptive and explorative design. Data were collected in 2017 and 2018 by interviewing nine intensive care nurses. The data were analysed by using systematic text condensation. Setting:The nine intensive care nurses interviewed worked in four different intensive care units located in one university hospital and one local hospital.Main outcome measures: Experiences when participating in the process of withdrawing lifesustaining treatments.Findings: Three categories emerged from the data analysis: ICU nurses' experiences of stress in the process of treatment withdrawal; a requirement for interdisciplinary support and cooperation; and elements to achieve a dignified treatment withdrawal process. Conclusion:The intensive care nurses experienced challenges and emotional reactions when patients were overtreated or when they had to participate in treatments they did not agree with. They considered debriefings to be helpful in dealing with emotions. Thorough planning, good communication, pain relief, and the creation of a peaceful environment were perceived as important elements in achieving a dignified treatment withdrawal process.

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Clinicians can use knowledge on time course and associated characteristics to identify and inform patients at higher risk for diminished QOL.