Epidemiology of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Intensive Care Nurses: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Nursing
• Psychiatric Epidemiology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses face significant risks for developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Frequent exposure to traumatic patient events and death are primary risk factors.
• This systematic review focuses on the epidemiology of PTSD in ICU nurses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs).
• To identify risk factors and impacts associated with PTSD in this population.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (Jan 2000 - Dec 2024).
• Inclusion of observational studies using validated PTSD assessment tools.
• Meta-analysis using a random-effects model for data synthesis.

Main Results:

• Twenty-five studies with 98-748 ICU nurses were analyzed.
• Published PTSD prevalence ranged from 3.3% to 64%, with a pooled prevalence of 32.78%.
• Risk factors included high workload, staff shortages, lack of psychological support, younger age, and prior mental health issues. Impacts included psychological distress and reduced quality of life.

Conclusions:

• The high prevalence of PTSD in ICU nurses necessitates immediate, targeted interventions.
• Essential support includes adequate staffing, psychological resources, and resilience training.
• Further research should investigate the long-term effects of PTSD and intervention effectiveness.