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

Bjoern Zante,Sabine A Camenisch,Marie-Madlen Jeitziner,Julia Grossenbacher,Katja Erne,Joerg C Schefold

doi:10.1186/s12888-021-03468-9

Bjoern Zante, Sabine A Camenisch + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03468-9

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Abstract

BackgroundDuring 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.MethodsIn 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.ResultsOf 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.ConclusionsDuring 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.

Highlights

During the COVID-19 pandemic, suspension of visits by of kin to patients in intensive care units (ICU), to prevent spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been a common practice
Study population Of the 411 patients admitted to the ICU during the observation period, 62 patients and their of kin were included in the study (Fig. 1)
No differences in the demographic data of of kin and patients were noted between the two Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) groups (IESR < 33 vs. IES-R > 33) during the ICU stay (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic, suspension of visits by 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 of kin. Various measures, including social distancing, were introduced to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus As recently shown, this pandemic has affected adult mental health; reports of the prevalence of clinically relevant PTSD symptoms range from 15.8 to 37.7% [9,10,11]

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