Informal Caregiver Burden among Survivors of Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

• DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200604-493oc
• Publication Date: 2006-10-27T01:19:54Z
• Authors: David C. Van Pelt; Eric B. Milbrandt; Li Qin; Lisa A. Weissfeld; Armando J. Rotondi; Richard Schulz; Lakshmipathi Chel...; Derek C. Angus; Michael R. Pinsky
• Keywords: Caregiver Burden

Although caregiver burden is well described in chronic illness, few studies have examined among caregivers of survivors critical illness. In existing studies, it unclear whether the observed a consequence illness or preexisting patient illness.To describe 1-yr longitudinal outcomes for patients who survived and to compare depression risk between with without pre-intensive care unit (ICU) functional dependency.Prospective, parallel, cohort study prolonged (greater than 48 h) mechanical ventilation their informal caregivers. Caregivers were divided into two cohorts on basis functionally independent (n = 99, 59%), dependent 70, 41%) before admission. Functional dependency was defined as one more activities daily living three instrumental living. Patient measured 2, 6, 12 mo after initiation.We studied outcomes: risk, lifestyle disruption, employment reduction. Most male (59.8%), mean (SD) age 56.6 (19.0) yr. mostly female (75.7%), 54.6 (14.7) Prevalence high at all time points (33.9, 30.8, 22.8%; p 0.83) did not vary by pre-ICU status. Lifestyle disruption reduction also common persistent.Depression symptoms, survivors. Depression regardless