Preexisting comorbidity counts, but not severity of ICU illness, are strongly associated with health-related quality of life and physical symptoms in the year following critical illness.

We prospectively collected data for age, gender, social deprivation (Scottish index of multiple deprivation), preexisting comorbidity (Functional Comorbidity Index), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and days of mechanical ventilation.

Health-related quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form version 2 Physical Component Score and Mental Component Score) and patient-reported symptoms (appetite, fatigue, pain, joint stiffness, and breathlessness) were measured at 3, 6, and 12 months.

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