Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in close relatives of intensive care unit patients: Prevalence data resemble that of earthquake survivors in Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in relatives of intensive care unit (ICU) patients has not been fully described. We studied potential relationships between PTSD and specific patients' conditions and relatives' psychologic characteristics.
METHODS: This is a prospective study of family caregivers of ICU patients. Patients' clinical and physiologic variables were recorded. At admission (time I), family caregivers' sociodemographic and psychologic variables were assessed, using specific questionnaires. Reassessment occurred at 2 to 4 days (time II) and 60 days (time III).
RESULTS: Of 105 enrolled caregivers, 83 completed follow-up. They were mainly female adults and first-degree relatives. Caregiver's baseline anxiety and depression symptoms were observed in 30.4% and 17.4%, respectively. Higher levels associated positively with PTSD symptoms (PS). At time III, 22.89% of caregivers met criteria for PTSD, similar to Chilean general population after the 2010's massive earthquake. Patient's mean age was 59.90 ± 17.4 years; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, 17.84 ± 7.13; 50% were on mechanical ventilation (MV); and average ICU stay, 9.40 ± 9.82 days. Patient's age correlated directly with PS (P = .017 when patient was on MV and length of stay >3 days). Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II greater than 7 correlated with PS (P = .043).
CONCLUSIONS: Close relatives of patients admitted to the ICU experience a high prevalence of PTSD during and after hospitalization. Individual patient factors such as severity, age, and being on MV increase the occurrence of PTSD, as well as sex and baseline anxiety levels of caregivers. Preventative measures could be devised for this particular high-risk population.