Janine Van't Wout Hofland1, Veronique Moulaert2, Caroline van Heugten3, Jeanine Verbunt4. 1. CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Maastricht University, PO box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands; CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, PO box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands. 2. Adelante, Centre of Expertise in Rehabilitation and Audiology, 6432 CC Hoensbroek, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1 (9713 GZ) Groningen, the Netherlands. 3. Maastricht University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), P.O. Box 616 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands,; Maastricht University, Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, P.O. Box 616 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands,; Limburg Brain Injury Center, P.O. Box 616 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. 4. CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Maastricht University, PO box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands; CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, PO box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands,. Electronic address: Jeanine.verbunt@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The incidence of cardiac arrest is high, with a poor survival rate of 8-14%. Currently, only limited evidence is available about long-term consequences of cardiac arrest on quality of life of caregivers. AIMS: First, to determine the level of daily functioning and quality of life in caregivers of cardiac arrest survivors two years after the cardiac arrest. Second, to study the long-term impact of witnessing the event of a cardiac arrest. METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study including caregivers of cardiac arrest survivors. Participants received a questionnaire at home. Outcome variables were instrumental daily activities(FAI), emotional functioning(HADS), fatigue(FSS), caregiver strain(CSI), impact of event(IES), and quality of life(SF36). RESULTS: 57 caregivers (89% female, age 56,9 ± 12 years) participated. Two years after the cardiac arrest, quality of life of caregivers equals that of the general population, although almost 30% still scored high on the Impact of Events Scale. Mean IES-, FSS-, CSI and FAI-scores were increased as compared to the general population (P < 0.001). Two years after the cardiac arrest, caregivers that witnessed the resuscitation (IES = 23.6 ± 14.9) still experienced significantly more trauma related stress than caregivers that did not witness the resuscitation (11.9 ± 12.5; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Two years after the cardiac arrest, quality of life of caregivers is quite good, but almost one third of the caregivers still experience a high level of trauma-related stress, especially in those that witnessed the resuscitation. Future research will have to focus on the effectiveness of support programs for caregivers of survivors of cardiac arrest.
BACKGROUND: The incidence of cardiac arrest is high, with a poor survival rate of 8-14%. Currently, only limited evidence is available about long-term consequences of cardiac arrest on quality of life of caregivers. AIMS: First, to determine the level of daily functioning and quality of life in caregivers of cardiac arrest survivors two years after the cardiac arrest. Second, to study the long-term impact of witnessing the event of a cardiac arrest. METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study including caregivers of cardiac arrest survivors. Participants received a questionnaire at home. Outcome variables were instrumental daily activities(FAI), emotional functioning(HADS), fatigue(FSS), caregiver strain(CSI), impact of event(IES), and quality of life(SF36). RESULTS: 57 caregivers (89% female, age 56,9 ± 12 years) participated. Two years after the cardiac arrest, quality of life of caregivers equals that of the general population, although almost 30% still scored high on the Impact of Events Scale. Mean IES-, FSS-, CSI and FAI-scores were increased as compared to the general population (P < 0.001). Two years after the cardiac arrest, caregivers that witnessed the resuscitation (IES = 23.6 ± 14.9) still experienced significantly more trauma related stress than caregivers that did not witness the resuscitation (11.9 ± 12.5; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Two years after the cardiac arrest, quality of life of caregivers is quite good, but almost one third of the caregivers still experience a high level of trauma-related stress, especially in those that witnessed the resuscitation. Future research will have to focus on the effectiveness of support programs for caregivers of survivors of cardiac arrest.
Authors: Jerry P Nolan; Claudio Sandroni; Bernd W Böttiger; Alain Cariou; Tobias Cronberg; Hans Friberg; Cornelia Genbrugge; Kirstie Haywood; Gisela Lilja; Véronique R M Moulaert; Nikolaos Nikolaou; Theresa Mariero Olasveengen; Markus B Skrifvars; Fabio Taccone; Jasmeet Soar Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2021-03-25 Impact factor: 17.440
Authors: Vicky L Joshi; Lars H Tang; Britt Borregaard; Line Zinckernagel; Tina Broby Mikkelsen; Rod S Taylor; Sofie Raahauge Christiansen; Jørgen Feldbæk Nielsen; Ann Dorthe Zwisler Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-04-02 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Marco Mion; Rosalind Case; Karen Smith; Gisela Lilja; Erik Blennow Nordström; Paul Swindell; Eleni Nikolopoulou; Jean Davis; Kelly Farrell; Ellie Gudde; Grigoris V Karamasis; John R Davies; William D Toff; Benjamin S Abella; Thomas R Keeble Journal: Resusc Plus Date: 2021-07-29