Coping strategies, anxiety and depressive symptoms in family members of patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A prospective cohort study

Marisa Onrust,Annemieke Oude Lansink-Hartgring,Ingeborg Van Der Meulen,Marie Louise Luttik,Johan De Jong,Willem Dieperink

doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2022.01.002

Marisa Onrust, Annemieke Oude Lansink-Hartgring + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2022.01.002

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Journal: Heart & Lung	Publication Date: Jan 20, 2022
Citations: 6	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: QPS (Netherlands), University of Groningen

Abstract

BackgroundFamily members of patients treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) during an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay are at risk of developing symptoms of anxiety, depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Coping strategies used by family members may play an important role in the severity of some of these symptoms. ObjectivesThe primary aim of this study was to describe coping strategies used by family members of ECMO-treated patients during ICU admission and recovery period. The secondary aim was to explore the course of the symptoms anxiety, depression, PTSD, and Health Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) over time. MethodsIn this single-center prospective longitudinal study, validated questionnaires were used to measure coping strategies, symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD, and HRQOL in family members of ECMO-treated patients directly after the start of ECMO and at one and six months after the start of ECMO. ResultsFamily members (n = 26) mainly used problem-focused coping strategies. Symptoms of anxiety appeared to be most present during treatment but decreased over time, as did symptoms of depression and PTSD. HRQOL was severely affected, especially in the mental domain, and did not improve over time. ConclusionIn family members of ECMO-treated patients, problem-focused coping mechanisms were most prominent. Psychological functioning was impaired on admission but improved over time, although a mild reaction to stress remained.

Highlights

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced, highly technical treatment used in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
A single-center prospective longitudinal study was conducted with a descriptive design involving family members of ECMO patients admitted to the ICU of the University Medical Center Groningen in Coping strategies were measured with the Brief COPE Inventory,[16] a 28-item self-report questionnaire designed to determine a person’s primary coping strategy
This study explored the course of symptoms of anxiety, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Health Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) in family members over time up to six months after ECMO treatment

Summary

Introduction

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced, highly technical treatment used in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It temporarily supports the heart and/or lung function of critically ill patients when conventional treatments have failed. Members of patients treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) during an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay are at risk of developing symptoms of anxiety, depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Methods: In this single-center prospective longitudinal study, validated questionnaires were used to measure coping strategies, symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD, and HRQOL in family members of ECMOtreated patients directly after the start of ECMO and at one and six months after the start of ECMO. Psychological functioning was impaired on admission but improved over time, a mild reaction to stress remained

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