title: Caregiver strain and posttraumatic stress symptoms of informal caregivers of intensive care unit survivors.
abstract: Many intensive care unit survivors (ICU) are confronted with undesirable and long-lasting impairments in physical, cognitive, and mental health, but not only patients are at risk of developing this post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Family members can experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This cluster of complications is called PICS-family.
  
  
  
  To describe the level of caregiver strain and posttraumatic stress-related symptoms in relatives of ICU survivors.
  
  
  
  We conducted a cohort study in a general hospital between July 2010 and May 2014. Relatives of ICU survivors, mechanically ventilated for > 48 h in the ICU, were asked to complete a questionnaire 3 months after discharge from critical care. Symptoms of PTSD and caregiving concerns were assessed using the Trauma Screening Questionnaire and the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI).
  
  
  
  A total of 94 relatives visiting our post-ICU clinic completed the questionnaires. Twenty-one percent of the caregivers had a CSI score of 7 or more, indicating high levels of strain. Six percent had CSI scores indicating severe strain (CSI > 10). PTSD-related symptoms were seen in 21% of the caregivers. The mean time spent on caregiving was 10 h (interquartile range 6-17 h) per week.
  
  
  
  This study shows that relatives of ICU survivors could experience strain 3 months after hospital discharge and are at risk of developing PTSD-related symptoms. This complements existing data that relatives are at risk of psychological symptoms. Knowledge can lead to improvements and means to prevent these symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Tergooi Hospital.
authors.forename: Sascha A
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1985-2436
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: van den Born-van Zanten
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam.
authors.forename: Dave A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Dongelmans
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dettling-Ihnenfeldt
authors.affiliation: Tergooi Hospital.
authors.forename: Roel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vink
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam.
authors.forename: Marike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van der Schaaf
mesh_terms: D018806:APACHE; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*