2021 Volume 41 Pages 414-422
Objective: To investigate and clarify the association between the intensive care experience and the psychological outcomes of ICU survivors 3 months after being discharged from the ICU.
Methods: The participants were 201 adult patients who were intubated, mechanically ventilated and stayed in an ICU for more than 48 hours. The intensive care experience was measured by the Intensive Care Experience Questionnaire 1–2 weeks after ICU discharge. The psychological outcomes were the prevalence of PTSD-related symptoms, anxiety and depression 3 months after ICU discharge, defined as an Impact of Event Scale-Revised score ≥ 25 and a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score ≥ 8. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify any association between the intensive care experience and psychological outcomes.
Results: Of the 201 patients, 141 completed a 3-month follow-up. Substantial PTSD symptoms were prevalent in 17.0% of patients (95% CI 11.2–24.3), anxiety in 19.9% (95% CI 13.6–27.4) and depression in 36.9% (95% CI 28.9–45.4). Overall, 43.3% (95% CI 35.0–51.9) of patients had one or more substantial symptom. The intensive care experience was not found to be associated with psychological outcomes (adjusted OR = 1.30, 95% CI 0.61–2.76), but was associated with agitation, anxiety and depression early ICU discharge.
Conclusion: In this study, as many as 40% of patients had PTSD-related symptoms, anxiety or depression, singly or in combination, 3 months after being discharged from the ICU. Future studies are needed to clarify the relationship between sedation practice and psychological outcomes after ICU discharge.
