Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Multiple Symptoms in Family Caregivers of Intensive Care Unit Patients

2017; Elsevier BV; Volume: 55; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.08.018

1873-6513

Hanne Birgit Alfheim, Leiv Arne Rosseland, Kristin Hofsø, Milada Cvancarova Småstuen, Tone Rustøen,

Family Caregiving in Mental Illness

ContextIntensive care unit (ICU) patients experience physical and psychological challenges related to ICU admission in the acute and recovery phases after a critical illness. Involvement of family caregivers (FCs) is essential in the patients' struggle to survive critical illness. FCs report a high symptom burden related to ICU admission. Previous research has investigated mainly single symptoms. Little is known about multiple symptom burden related to FC experiences in an ICU.ObjectiveThis study aimed: 1) to describe the occurrence, severity, and distress related to multiple symptoms in FCs of ICU patients, and 2) to identify associations between the background characteristics and symptom burden of FCs.MethodsThis cross-sectional study investigated multiple symptoms in adult FCs of ICU patients. FCs completed a self-report symptom assessment questionnaire within 2 weeks after the patient's admission to the ICU.ResultsFCs (N=211) experienced a median of 9 (range 0–24) symptoms, among which, worrying (91%) was the most occurring. Severity and distress varied between symptoms. Younger age, being a spouse of an ICU patient, and having more comorbidities were significantly associated with the number of symptoms.ConclusionsFCs of ICU patients experience multiple symptoms, among which, psychological symptoms are most occurring. Age, relationship to the patient, and comorbidities were significantly associated with the number of symptoms reported by FCs. Comprehensive symptom assessment may identify FCs who are at risk of developing a high symptom burden when the patient is admitted to the ICU.