New Study Finds That Family Members of Patients with Severe COVID Infections May Suffer PTSD

March 7, 2022 12:41:52

A new study has found that family members of individuals who have been hospitalized in the ICU due to coronavirus infections may suffer from PTSD in comparison with family members of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by other ailments. The study, which was conducted by French researchers, reported its findings in “JAMA Network.”

For their study, the researchers carried out a prospective cohort study in 23 intensive care units in France between January and June 2020, with a final follow-up being conducted that same year in October. Family members of individuals with and survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome were enrolled in the study.

The researchers evaluated family members for symptoms of depression and anxiety using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, as well as symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in family members 90 days after the patients were discharged, using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised score. They also used multivariable logistic regression models to find the link between the coronavirus status and outcomes, discovering post-traumatic stress disorder in 35% family members related to patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome brought about by the coronavirus.

They also found that symptoms of depression and anxiety were higher in family members of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome COVID-19.

In their report, they highlighted a number of study limitations, including the fact that the patients were admitted in the early phase of the pandemic, that clinical staff in intensive care units didn’t take part in the study, that not every patient met the consensus criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome, that their results may not apply to intensive care units that didn’t strongly emphasize on family care and that all hospitals that took part in the study were in France.

In addition, the researchers argued that there were many possible explanations for their discoveries, including the strain that staff in intensive care units endured because of the significant increase in patient numbers due to the pandemic and the need to comply with isolation measures put in place to hinder viral transmission.

They explained that visitors didn’t feel welcome when intensive care units were viewed as closed departments, which generated symptoms of PTSD, depression or anxiety as well as stress in family members, noting that these findings were consistent with prior research.

Furthermore, the researchers highlighted that social support during a patient’s stay in the intensive care unit was a crucial factor that was linked to family outcomes, noting that lower perceived social support was linked to PTSD, depression and anxiety.

Now more than ever before, the world needs new remedies to mental health conditions such as PTSD, and if the efforts being invested by entities such as Mydecine Innovations Group Inc. (NEO: MYCO) (OTC: MYCOF) yield positive outcomes, patients could have the effective treatments they have been longing for.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Mydecine Innovations Group Inc. (NEO: MYCO) (OTC: MYCOF) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/MYCOF

About BioMedWire

BioMedWire (BMW) is a bio-med news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with BMW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, BMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, BMW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. BMW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from BioMedWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.BioMedWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer

BioMedWire (BMW)
San Francisco, California
www.BioMedWire.com
415.949.5050 Office
Editor@BioMedWire.com

BioMedWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.