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01-03-2022 | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Original

Mental health symptoms in family members of COVID-19 ICU survivors 3 and 12 months after ICU admission: a multicentre prospective cohort study

Authors: Hidde Heesakkers, Johannes G. van der Hoeven, Stijn Corsten, Inge Janssen, Esther Ewalds, Dominique Burgers-Bonthuis, Thijs C. D. Rettig, Crétien Jacobs, Susanne van Santen, Arjen J. C. Slooter, Margaretha C. E. van der Woude, Marieke Zegers, Mark van den Boogaard

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Purpose

Long-term mental outcomes in family members of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) intensive care unit (ICU) survivors are unknown. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of mental health symptoms, including associated risk factors, and quality of life (QoL) in family members of COVID-19 ICU survivors 3 and 12 months post-ICU.

Methods

A prospective multicentre cohort study in ICUs of ten Dutch hospitals, including adult family members of COVID-19 ICU survivors admitted between March 1, and July 1, 2020. Symptom prevalence rates of anxiety, depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Impact of Event Scale-6), and QoL (Short Form-12) before ICU admission (baseline), and after 3 and 12 months were measured. Additionally, associations between family and patient characteristics and mental health symptoms were calculated.

Results

A total of 166 out of 197 (84.3%) included family members completed the 12-month follow-up of whom 46.1% and 38.3% had mental health symptoms 3 and 12 months post-ICU, respectively; both higher compared to baseline (22.4%) (p < 0.001). The mental component summary score of the SF-12 was lower at 12-month follow-up compared with baseline [mean difference mental component score: − 5.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) − 7.4 to − 3.6)]. Furthermore, 27.9% experienced work-related problems. Symptoms of anxiety (odds ratio (OR) 9.23; 95% CI 2.296–37.24; p = 0.002) and depression (OR 5.96; 95% CI 1.29–27.42; p = 0.02) prior to ICU admission were identified as risk factors for mental health symptoms after 12 months.

Conclusion

A considerable proportion of family members of COVID-19 survivors reported mental health symptoms 3 and 12 months after ICU admission, disrupting QoL and creating work-related problems.

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Title: Mental health symptoms in family members of COVID-19 ICU survivors 3 and 12 months after ICU admission: a multicentre prospective cohort study
Authors: Hidde Heesakkers
Johannes G. van der Hoeven
Stijn Corsten
Inge Janssen
Esther Ewalds
Dominique Burgers-Bonthuis
Thijs C. D. Rettig
Crétien Jacobs
Susanne van Santen
Arjen J. C. Slooter
Margaretha C. E. van der Woude
Marieke Zegers
Mark van den Boogaard
Publication date: 01-03-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Affective Disorder
Care
Affective Disorder
COVID-19
Anxiety
Published in: Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-021-06615-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Mental health symptoms in family members of COVID-19 ICU survivors 3 and 12 months after ICU admission: a multicentre prospective cohort study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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