Post-traumatic stress symptoms and sense of coherence in proximity to intensive care unit discharge

Background: Post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms following intensive care unit (ICU) treatment can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder and represent a severe health burden. In trauma patients, a strong sense of coherence (SOC) is associated with fewer PTS symptoms. However, this association has not been investigated in a general ICU sample.

Aims and objectives: To examine the occurrence of PTS symptoms in general ICU patients early after ICU discharge and to assess possible associations between PTS symptoms and SOC, ICU memory, pain, and demographic and clinical characteristics.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study.

Methods: Adult patients aged ≥18 years admitted for ≥24 hours to five ICUs between 2014 and 2016 were recruited. PTS symptoms and SOC were measured at the ward within the first week after discharge from the ICU using the Posttraumatic Stress Scale-10 and Sense of Coherence Scale-13. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify associations between PTS symptoms and SOC and the selected independent variables.

Results: A total of 523 patients were included (17.8% trauma patients; median age 57 years [range 18-94]; 53.3% male). The prevalence of clinically significant PTS symptoms was 32%. After adjustments for gender and age, lower SOC (P < 0.001), more ICU delusional memories (P < 0.001), greater pain interference (P < 0.001), not being a trauma patient (P = 0.02), and younger age (P = 0.03) were significantly associated with more PTS symptoms.

Conclusions: One third of patients experienced clinically relevant PTS symptoms early after discharge from the ICU. In the present study, SOC, delusional memory, pain interference, younger age, and not being a trauma patient were factors associated with more PTS symptoms.

Relevance to clinical practice: Early individual follow up after ICU discharge focusing on pain relief and delusional memory may reduce PTS symptoms, with a potential of improving rehabilitation.