Memories from intensive care unit persist for several years--a longitudinal prospective multi-centre study

Area of Science:

• Trauma care
• Intensive care medicine
• Psychological outcomes

Background:

• Intensive care unit (ICU) stays can cause patient distress.
• Mechanical ventilation (MV) is linked to increased delusional memories in the ICU.
• Trauma patients requiring MV are a vulnerable group with limited long-term study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess long-term memories, psychological recovery, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in trauma patients who underwent mechanical ventilation.
• To understand the enduring effects of ICU care and MV on trauma survivors.

Main Methods:

• A multicentre study involving 41 trauma patients who received MV.
• Patients completed questionnaires (SF-36, HAD, ICUM tool) at one and five years post-ICU.
• Longitudinal assessment of patient-reported outcomes over five years.

Main Results:

• Patient memories from ICU remained stable, with increased recall of panic and anxiety.
• 37% recalled pain at one year, rising to 46% at five years.
• One year post-trauma, 25% had anxiety symptoms and 25% had depression symptoms, with some persisting at five years.
• HRQoL improved in physical and emotional role functions by year five.

Conclusions:

• ICU memories and psychological symptoms can persist long-term in trauma patients post-MV.
• HRQoL improvements were limited to specific domains five years after trauma.
• Mechanical ventilation in trauma patients may lead to sustained negative health impacts.