Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in next of kin during suspension of ICU visits during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective observational study
Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, suspension of visits by next of kin to patients in intensive care units (ICU), to prevent spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been a common practice. This could impede established family-centered care and may affect the mental health of the next of k...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03468-9 |
| _version_ | 1818885169857167360 |
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| author | Bjoern Zante Katja Erne Julia Grossenbacher Sabine A. Camenisch Joerg C. Schefold Marie-Madlen Jeitziner |
| author_facet | Bjoern Zante Katja Erne Julia Grossenbacher Sabine A. Camenisch Joerg C. Schefold Marie-Madlen Jeitziner |
| author_sort | Bjoern Zante |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, suspension of visits by next of kin to patients in intensive care units (ICU), to prevent spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been a common practice. This could impede established family-centered care and may affect the mental health of the next of kin. The aim of this study was to explore symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) in the next of kin of ICU patients. Methods In this prospective observational single-center study, next of kin of ICU patients were interviewed by telephone, using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), to assess symptoms of acute stress disorder during the ICU stay and PTSD symptoms at 3 months after the ICU stay. The primary outcome was the prevalence of severe PTSD symptoms (IES-R score ≥ 33) at 3 months. The secondary outcomes comprised the IES-R scores during the ICU stay, at 3 months, and the prevalence of severe symptoms of acute stress disorder during ICU stay. An inductive content analysis was performed of the next of kin’s comments regarding satisfaction with patient care and the information they were given. Results Of the 411 ICU patients admitted during the study period, 62 patients were included together with their next of kin. An IES-R score > 33 was observed in 90.3% (56/62) of next of kin during the ICU stay and in 69.4% (43/62) 3 months later. The median IES-R score was 49 (IQR 40–61) during the ICU stay and 41 (IQR 30–55) at 3 months. The inductive content analysis showed that communication/information (55%), support (40%), distressing emotions (32%), and suspension of ICU visits (24%) were mentioned as relevant aspects by the next of kin. Conclusions During the suspension of ICU visits in the COVID-19 pandemic, high prevalence and severity of both symptoms of acute stress disorder during the ICU stay and PTSD symptoms 3 months later were observed in the next of kin of ICU patients. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T16:01:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-93f8e6e661e74b2b9e030b4e221637cb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T16:01:10Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-93f8e6e661e74b2b9e030b4e221637cb2022-12-21T20:14:56ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2021-09-012111910.1186/s12888-021-03468-9Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in next of kin during suspension of ICU visits during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective observational studyBjoern Zante0Katja Erne1Julia Grossenbacher2Sabine A. Camenisch3Joerg C. Schefold4Marie-Madlen Jeitziner5Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of BernDepartment of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of BernDepartment of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of BernDepartment of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of BernDepartment of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of BernDepartment of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of BernAbstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, suspension of visits by next of kin to patients in intensive care units (ICU), to prevent spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been a common practice. This could impede established family-centered care and may affect the mental health of the next of kin. The aim of this study was to explore symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) in the next of kin of ICU patients. Methods In this prospective observational single-center study, next of kin of ICU patients were interviewed by telephone, using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), to assess symptoms of acute stress disorder during the ICU stay and PTSD symptoms at 3 months after the ICU stay. The primary outcome was the prevalence of severe PTSD symptoms (IES-R score ≥ 33) at 3 months. The secondary outcomes comprised the IES-R scores during the ICU stay, at 3 months, and the prevalence of severe symptoms of acute stress disorder during ICU stay. An inductive content analysis was performed of the next of kin’s comments regarding satisfaction with patient care and the information they were given. Results Of the 411 ICU patients admitted during the study period, 62 patients were included together with their next of kin. An IES-R score > 33 was observed in 90.3% (56/62) of next of kin during the ICU stay and in 69.4% (43/62) 3 months later. The median IES-R score was 49 (IQR 40–61) during the ICU stay and 41 (IQR 30–55) at 3 months. The inductive content analysis showed that communication/information (55%), support (40%), distressing emotions (32%), and suspension of ICU visits (24%) were mentioned as relevant aspects by the next of kin. Conclusions During the suspension of ICU visits in the COVID-19 pandemic, high prevalence and severity of both symptoms of acute stress disorder during the ICU stay and PTSD symptoms 3 months later were observed in the next of kin of ICU patients.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03468-9Critical carePost intensive care syndrome–familyMental distressStress disorderPsychological diseaseRelatives |
| spellingShingle | Bjoern Zante Katja Erne Julia Grossenbacher Sabine A. Camenisch Joerg C. Schefold Marie-Madlen Jeitziner Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in next of kin during suspension of ICU visits during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective observational study BMC Psychiatry Critical care Post intensive care syndrome–family Mental distress Stress disorder Psychological disease Relatives |
| title | Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in next of kin during suspension of ICU visits during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective observational study |
| title_full | Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in next of kin during suspension of ICU visits during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective observational study |
| title_fullStr | Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in next of kin during suspension of ICU visits during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective observational study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in next of kin during suspension of ICU visits during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective observational study |
| title_short | Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in next of kin during suspension of ICU visits during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective observational study |
| title_sort | symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder ptsd in next of kin during suspension of icu visits during the covid 19 pandemic a prospective observational study |
| topic | Critical care Post intensive care syndrome–family Mental distress Stress disorder Psychological disease Relatives |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03468-9 |
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