Jackson et al listed risk factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). These can help to identify patients who may benefit from closer follow-up and preventive measures. The authors are from VA Tennessee Valley Geriatric Research and Clinical Center (GREGG), Vanderbilt University, Brigham Young University and LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Risk factors associated with PTSD:
(1) female gender
(2) younger age
(3) longer admission to the ICU
(4) longer overall hospital stay
(5) longer duration of mechanical ventilation
(6) greater degree of sedation and/or neuromuscular blockade
(7) previous history of a psychiatric disorder
(8) presence of delusional memories
(9) significant number and more intense traumatic and/or frightening memories
The more of these factors that are present the more likely that the patient will experience PTSD following discharge from the ICU.
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