Post-traumatic stress disorder in critical illness survivors and its relation to memories of ICU.

Abstract

Stressors in intensive care units (ICUs) are sometimes so severe that they result in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in ICU survivors. The memories that survivors have from the ICU may play a role in developing PTSD. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PTSD-related symptoms in ICU survivors in Southeast Iran and its relationship with their memories of the ICU. In this descriptive correlational study, 100 people discharged from ICUs in southeastern Iran completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and ICU memory tool (ICU-MT). Findings indicated that, from 100 participants who, on average, were assessed 3.19 ± 5.37 months after discharge, 13% were suffering from PTSD. The total mean IES-R score and the scores of "Intrusion," "Avoidance," and "Hyperarousal" subscales in patients with delusional memories were higher compared with the patients who did not have such memories. In the patients who were mechanically ventilated at the time of their stay in the ICU, the total mean IES-R score was 6.86 times higher (P = .03). This research provided further evidence of the relationship between delusional memories and PTSD in patients who had been discharged from the ICU. In the care of patients admitted to the ICU, preventive strategies should be used to minimize delusional memories and PTSD. It is necessary to detect post-ICU psychiatric morbidities and provide early psychological intervention in post-discharge follow-up programmes to improve psychological outcomes after critical illness.