Post-intensive care syndrome symptoms and health-related quality of life in family decision-makers of critically ill patients

Abstract

We found a significant prevalence of anxiety (45.8%), depression (25%), and PTSD (11.1%) symptoms among FDMs over the course of the study. The patient mortality rate in our sample was 50%. The HRQOL mental summary score in FDMs was low at T1 and decreased to M = 41.72 (standard deviation = 12.47) by T3. Avoidant coping demonstrated moderate relationships with PTSD symptoms and anxiety at T3. A previous history of anxiety, depression, or PTSD was a significant predictor of PICS-F symptom severity and prevalence. PICS symptom severity at T3 explained 75% of the variance in HRQOL mental summary score.Significance of resultsThis study describes a significant prevalence of PICS-F symptoms in FDMs with a diminished mental HRQOL.