Depression and anxiety in relatives of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: Results of a prospective observational study

Kerstin Metzger; Martina Gamp; Theresa Tondorf; Seraina Hochstrasser; Christoph Becker; Tanja Luescher; Roshaani Rasiah; Aurelio Boerlin; Kai Tisljar; Christian Emsden; Raoul Sutter; Rainer Schaefert; Gunther Meinlschmidt; Stephan Marsch; Sabina Hunziker

doi:10.1016/j.jcrc.2019.01.026

Depression and anxiety in relatives of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: Results of a prospective observational study

J Crit Care. 2019 Jun:51:57-63. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2019.01.026. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Communication, University Hospital Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 23, CH-4031, Switzerland.
² Department of Medical Communication, University Hospital Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 23, CH-4031, Switzerland; Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 2, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.
³ Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.
⁴ Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 2, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.
⁵ Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 2, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, International Psychoanalytic University, Stromstrasse 1, D-10555 Berlin, Germany; Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 60/62, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.
⁶ Department of Medical Communication, University Hospital Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 23, CH-4031, Switzerland; Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 2, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: Sabina.Hunziker@usb.ch.

PMID: 30745287
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2019.01.026

Abstract

Purpose: Relatives of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) may suffer from adverse psychological outcomes. We assessed prevalence and risk factors for depression and anxiety in such relatives 90 days after ICU admission.

Materials and methods: This study included consecutive relatives of OHCA patients admitted to the ICU of University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland. Relatives were interviewed upon admission regarding psychosocial risk factors and satisfaction with communication. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) 90 days after inclusion.

Results: Of 101 included relatives, 17% and 13% of relatives reported symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. Witnessing cardiopulmonary resuscitation was associated with depression (gender- and age-adjusted odds ratio [OR] 6.71; 95%CI 1.27 to 35.34; p = .025). Satisfaction with information and decision-making was associated with lower risk of depression (adjusted OR 0.95; 95%CI 0.91 to 0.99; p = .013). Unemployment (adjusted OR 10.42; 95%CI 1.18 to 92.35; p = .035) and lower perceived health status were associated with anxiety (adjusted OR 0.93; 95%CI 0.87 to 0.99; p = .025).

Conclusions: Many relatives of OHCA patients report symptoms of depression and anxiety after 90 days. Improving initial care and communication may help to reduce these risks.

Keywords: Anxiety; Communication; Depression; Intensive care unit; OHCA; Relatives.

Publication types

Observational Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Anxiety / diagnosis*
Anxiety / psychology
Communication
Depression / diagnosis*
Depression / psychology
Family / psychology*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest* / psychology
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors