Abstract
Background
The hospitalisation of a patient in intensive care impacts the psychological health
of family members, with a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic
stress symptoms reported among families of critically ill patients. Understanding
of the behavioural and physiological impact is limited and presents a new area of
focus.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to evaluate behavioural and physiological stress responses
of visiting family members following hospitalisation of their adult relative.
Methods
Prospective longitudinal evaluation included 40 family members of adult patients with
admission to intensive or coronary care in a large tertiary care metropolitan hospital.
Assessments were conducted at three timepoints: in-hospital within 1 week of admission
and 2 weeks and 3 months post discharge. Assessments included duration and quality
of sleep (self-reported and actigraphy measured), physical activity, dietary and alcohol
patterns, resting heart rate and blood pressure, and morning blood cortisol and lipid
levels. Assessment of a reference group of 40 non-hospital-exposed control participants
was also conducted.
Results
At the in-hospital assessment, study participants reported lower sleep time, altered
24-h physical activity patterns, reduced dietary and alcohol intake, and higher systolic
and diastolic blood pressure than a nonhospitalised reference group. Compared to in-hospital
assessment, these altered behavioural and physiological responses improved over time
except for systolic blood pressures which remained unchanged at 3 months post family
member discharge.
Conclusion
Hospitalisation is associated with altered behavioural and physiological responses
in family members. These findings contribute to understanding of the impact of unexpected
hospitalisation on family members’ cardiovascular risk factors and provide insights
into potential mechanisms for the proposed increased risk during this time. Elevated
systolic blood pressure at 3 months post discharge suggests a prolonged cardiovascular
stress response in many family members of critical care patients that requires further
study, with a focus on contributing and potential modifiable factors.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 09, 2022
Accepted:
September 21,
2022
Received in revised form:
September 2,
2022
Received:
April 25,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 Australian College of Critical Care Nurses Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
