Adult intensive care patients' perception of endotracheal tube-related discomforts: a prospective evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to investigate adult patients' perceptions of endotracheal tube (ETT)-related discomfort at 5 days and 2 months after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU).


METHODS
This prospective cohort study in 2 general ICUs included 250 intubated, mechanically ventilated adults admitted for more than 24 hours. Patients were interviewed 5 days and 2 months after discharge from the ICU about their ETT-related discomfort, using a modified Swedish ETT version of the ICU Stressful Experience Questionnaire that comprises 14 items.


RESULTS
Of 116 patients describing their ETT experience during their ICU stay, 88% rated their discomfort as moderately to extremely stressful. At 2 months after discharge from the ICU, 23% (51/226) reported bothersome discomfort, vs. 46% (104/226) 5 days after discharge from the ICU, and 10 patients suffered from severe, persistent hoarseness.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of bothersome subjective complaints after tracheal intubation in the intensive-care setting is high, and severe ETT-related problems may persist several months after extubation.
Samuelson
Karin A M
KA
Division of Nursing, Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden, and the Intensive Care Unit, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. Karin.Samuelson@med.lu.se
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult