RESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of sleep problems, anxiety, depression and fatigue in family members of intensive care patients in Turkey and factors affecting these complaints. This cross-sectional study was carried out with 350 first-degree relatives of intensive care patients at a university and state hospital. Data were collected between 5 January and 30 May 2014 using a personal information form, the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the modified Post Sleep Inventory. Of the 350 family members, 76% reported moderate or more serious problems. Anxiety was reported by 81.4% of the family members, and depression by 94.2%. Family members in the study had fatigue, with average scores of 79.42. There were significant correlations between the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue and anxiety, depression and scores on the Modified Post-Sleep Inventory (P < 0.05). Family members of intensive care patients experienced symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, depression and sleep problems. The prevalence of symptoms of sleep problems, anxiety and depression and complaints of fatigue was significantly higher in the family members of intensive care patients in Turkey than reported in the literature.
