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Annals of Intensive Care
Published in: Annals of Intensive Care 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Predictors of posttraumatic stress and quality of life in family members of chronically critically ill patients after intensive care

Authors: Gloria-Beatrice Wintermann, Kerstin Weidner, Bernhard Strauß, Jenny Rosendahl, Katja Petrowski

Published in: Annals of Intensive Care | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Prolonged mechanical ventilation for acute medical conditions increases the risk of chronic critical illness (CCI). Close family members are confronted with the life-threatening condition of the CCI patients and are prone to develop posttraumatic stress disorder affecting their health-related quality of life (HRQL). Main aim of the present study was to investigate patient- and family-related risk factors for posttraumatic stress and decreased HRQL in family members of CCI patients.

Methods

In a cross-sectional design nested within a prospective longitudinal cohort study, posttraumatic stress symptoms and quality of life were assessed in family members of CCI patients (n = 83, aged between 18 and 72 years) up to 6 months after transfer from ICU at acute care hospital to post-acute rehabilitation. Patients admitted a large rehabilitation hospital for ventilator weaning. The Posttraumatic Stress Scale-10 and the Euro-Quality of life-5D-3L were applied in both patients and their family members via telephone interview.

Results

A significant proportion of CCI patients and their family members (14.5 and 15.7 %, respectively) showed clinically relevant scores of posttraumatic stress. Both CCI patients and family members reported poorer HRQL than a normative sample. Factors independently associated with posttraumatic stress in family members were the time following ICU discharge (β = .256, 95 % confidence interval .053–.470) and the patients’ diagnosis of PTSD (β = .264, 95 % confidence interval .045–.453). Perceived satisfaction with the relationship turned out to be a protective factor for posttraumatic stress in family members of CCI patients (β = −.231, 95 % confidence interval −.423 to −.015). Regarding HRQL in family members, patients’ acute posttraumatic stress at ICU (β = −.290, 95 % confidence interval −.360 to −.088) and their own posttraumatic stress 3 to 6 months post-transfer (β = −.622, 95 % confidence interval −.640 to −.358) turned out to be significant predictors.

Conclusions

Posttraumatic stress and HRQL should be routinely assessed in family members of CCI patients at regular intervals starting early at ICU. Preventive family-centered interventions are needed to improve posttraumatic stress and HRQL in both patients and their family members.
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Metadata
Title
Predictors of posttraumatic stress and quality of life in family members of chronically critically ill patients after intensive care
Authors
Gloria-Beatrice Wintermann
Kerstin Weidner
Bernhard Strauß
Jenny Rosendahl
Katja Petrowski
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
Springer Paris
Published in
Annals of Intensive Care / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2110-5820
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-016-0174-0

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