Factors Affecting Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Relatives of Intensive Care Unit Patients

To determine the incidences of anxiety and depression in relatives of patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and to investigate the relationships between psychological symptoms and demographic features of the patients and their relatives.

Relatives of 78 ICU patients were enrolled in the study. Sociodemographic features of patients and their relatives were recorded. The Turkish version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess anxiety and depression.

Twenty-eight (35.9%) cases with anxiety and 56 (71.8%) cases with depression were identified. The mean anxiety and depression scores were 9.49 ± 4.183 and 9.40 ± 4.286, respectively. Anxiety (P = .028) and concomitant anxiety with depression (P = .035) were more frequent among family members of young patients. The relationship to the patient, especially being a spouse, was significantly associated with symptoms (anxiety, P = .009; depression, P = .019; and both, P = .005).

Spouses and family members of relatively young patients had higher rates of anxiety and depression. In contrast to the literature, depression was more common than anxiety among the relatives of ICU patients. Further research is needed on the impact of cultural and regional differences on anxiety and depression rates in family members of ICU patients.