Depression among white and nonwhite caregivers of the chronically critically ill

The study aimed to describe characteristics of caregivers of chronically critically ill (CCI) patients, describe key outcomes (depression, employment, physical health), and examine race as one of several predictors of post-hospital depressive symptoms.

This was a prospective study of caregivers of hospital survivors of prolonged (>72 hours) mechanical ventilation. Caregivers were interviewed at admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 2 months post-discharge.

Patients discharged to an institution had a high risk of post-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 8.61; P = .01). Caregivers of patients residing in an institution 2 months post-discharge had greater odds of being depressed than caregivers of patients residing at home (odds ratio, 2.75; P = .001). Nonwhite caregivers of patients residing in an institution had the least improvement in depression over time. Predictors of depression 2 months post-discharge were depression during hospitalization (P = .001), sex (P = .019), health status (P = .009), and residence of the patient (P = .001), with no change based on race. Almost 50% of employed caregivers had a reduction in paid work. There was a significant reduction in physical health status over time (P = .001) with no difference based on race.

Caregivers of CCI patients are at risk for depression post-hospital discharge. Nonwhite caregivers of patients residing in an institution 2 months post-discharge are at highest risk for depression.