Multiple Symptoms in Family Caregivers of Intensive Care Unit Patients

Context. Intensive 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. Objective. This 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. Methods. This cross- sectional study investigated multiple symptoms in adult FCs of ICU patients. FCs completed a selfreport symptom assessment questionnaire within 2 weeks after the patient's admission to the ICU. Results. FCs (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. Conclusions. FCs 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. (C) 2017 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.