Psychological and socio-economic burden on families of patients admitted in intensive care unit

Abstract

Study objective: To study symptoms of anxiety and depression in family members of intensive care unit patients. Design and setting: Study done in medical intensive care unit Father Muller medical college hospital Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Participants: Family members answered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) during their stay in ICU along with other personal details. Results: Hundred family members answered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. Symptoms of anxiety were present in 35% and depression in 66%. 32% relatives had both anxiety and depression .Anxiety decreases with age (p=0.008).Anxiety is more in female (44.4%) than male (27.2%) (p=0.017). Depression was common in younger age group (p=0.059).Females and younger age groups are at high risks.