Anxiety and depression symptoms in family members of ICU patients

Objective: This study investigated symptoms of anxiety and depression in relatives of patients admitted in the Intensive Care Unit and determined whether these symptoms were associated to the seriousness of the patients' condition. Metodology: A total of 102 patients' relatives were surveyed during the study. They were given a self-report questionnaire in order to assess demographic data, anxiety and depression symptoms. The symptoms of anxiety and depression were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Patient's condition was evaluated with A.P.A.CH.E II Score. Results: More than 60% of patients' relatives presented severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. No relation was found between symptoms of anxiety and depression of the relatives of patients and patients' condition of health. On the contrary, these feelings used to exist regardless of the seriousness of patient's condition. Conclusions: The assessment of these patients is recommended in order serious problems of anxiety and depression to be prevented.

Objetivo: El presente estudio se propuso investigar los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión en familiares de pacientes que fueron admitidos en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos y se determinó si estos síntomas se asociaron con la gravedad de la condición del paciente. Metodología: Durante este estudio se encuestó un total de 102 familiares de pacientes, a quienes se les solicitó diligenciar un cuestionario auto-administrado para estimar aspectos sociodemográficos y síntomas de ansiedad y depresión. Los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión fueron evaluados con la Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). La condición del paciente fue evaluada con el A.P.A.CH.E II Score. Resultados: Más del 60% de los familiares encuestados presentaron síntomas severos de ansiedad y depresión. No se encontró relación entre los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión de los familiares de los pacientes y el estado de salud de éstos. Por el contrario, aquellas sensaciones solían darse con independencia de la gravedad de la condición del paciente. Conclusiones: Se recomienda la evaluación de estos pacientes para evitar problemas serios de ansiedad y depresión.

Objetivo: O presente estudo pesquisou os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em familiares de pacientes que foram admitidos na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e se determinou se esses sintomas se associaram com a gravidade da condição do paciente. Metodologia: Durante este estudo se inquiriu um total de 102 familiares de pacientes, a quem se solicitou diligenciar um questionário auto-administrado, para estimar aspectos sociodemográficos e sintomas de ansiedade e depressão. Os dados sobre sintomas de ansiedade e depressão foram processados usando a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A condição do paciente foi avaliada com o A.P.A.CH.E II Score. Resultados: Mais de 60% dos familiares questionados apresentaram sintomas severos de ansiedade e depressão. Não se encontrou relação entre os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão dos familiares dos pacientes e o estado de saúde deles. Pelo contrário, essas sensações com frequência se apresentavam com independência da gravidade da condição do paciente. Conclusões: Recomenda-se a avaliação destes pacientes para evitar problemas sérios de ansiedade e depressão.

Early Rescue Administration of Surfactant and Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Preterm Infants <32 Weeks Gestation.

Objective: This study reports our institutional experience on the outcome after prophylactic and early rescue endotracheal instillation of surfactant within 20 minutes of birth, followed by extubation and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in preterm infants <32 weeks gestational age. Patients and methods: A total of 142 infants were prospectively studied (42, gestational age from 23 to 27 and 100, from 28 up to 32 weeks). All infants were electively intubated for administration of 200mg/kg porcine isolated surfactant (Curosurf, Chiesi Farmaceutici SPA, Parma, Italy) as soon as practicably possible (within 20 min after birth) and NCPAP was then initiated. Results: Extubation and switch to NCPAP at 6h was successful in 6/42 (14.3%) infants less than 28 weeks gestational age and 75/100 (75%) infants 28-32 weeks gestational age. Out of 81 infants that were successfully extubated, 76 (93.83%) never required re-ventilation. At 96h of age, need for continuing intubation and ventilation was required by 6/38 (15.8%) alive infants <28 weeks gestational age and 8/100 (8%) infants 28-32 weeks gestational age. Mean duration of NCPAP post-extubation was 38±20 hours for infants 23-27 wks and 29±15 hours for infants 28-32 wks gestational age. The mortality rate was 2.81% (4/142). Conclusion: Implementation of prophylactic or early rescue administration of surfactant with NCPAP in infants at high risk for developing RDS in neonatal ICU is a safe modality of respiratory support in preterm infants.