Informal caregiver burden among survivors of prolonged mechanical ventilation.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Although caregiver burden is well described in chronic illness, few studies have examined burden among caregivers of survivors of critical illness. In existing studies, it is unclear whether the observed burden is a consequence of critical illness or of preexisting patient illness.

Objectives

To describe 1-yr longitudinal outcomes for caregivers of patients who survived critical illness, and to compare depression risk between caregivers of patients with and without pre-intensive care unit (ICU) functional dependency.

Methods

Prospective, parallel, cohort study of survivors of prolonged (greater than 48 h) mechanical ventilation and their informal caregivers. Caregivers were divided into two cohorts on the basis of whether patients were functionally independe

SUBMITTER: Van Pelt DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1899280 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature