Effect of an ICU diary on psychiatric disorders, quality of life, and sleep quality among adult cardiac surgical ICU survivors: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although studies on the effectiveness of the use of ICU diaries on psychiatric disorders and quality of life have been published, the results still seem to be controversial. The study aimed to determine the effects of using an ICU diary on psychiatric disorders, sleep quality, and quality of life (QoL) in adult ICU survivors in China. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six patients who underwent a scheduled cardiac surgery and were expected to stay ≥ 24 h in ICU were randomized to two groups (63 in each group). The patients in the intervention group received the use of ICU diaries during the period of post-ICU follow-up, while the patients in the control group received usual care without ICU diaries. The primary outcome was significant PTSD symptoms (Chinese version of Impact of Event Scale-Revised, IES-R; total score ≥ 35 was defined as significant PTSD symptoms) and its severity in patients 3 months post-ICU. The secondary outcomes included memories of the ICU at 1 month, QoL (Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form, SF-36), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire, PSQI), anxiety, and depression symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) at 3 months. RESULTS: Eighty-five and 83 patients completed the follow-up interviews at 1 month and 3 months post-ICU, respectively. Significant PTSD symptoms were reported by 6 of 41 (14.63%) in the intervention group vs 9 of 42 (21.43%) in the control group (risk difference, - 9% [95% CI, - 2% to 21%], P = 0.10). There was no significant differences between groups in IES-R score, symptoms of intrusion, symptoms of avoidance, numbers of memories of feeling and delusional memories, SF-36 score and anxiety score (P > 0.05), while significant differences were found in symptom of hyperarousal score, numbers of factual memories and PSQI score (P < 0.05). No adverse effect was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Using an ICU diary is not useful for preventing PTSD symptoms and anxiety symptoms and preserving the quality of life of the patients at 3 months post-ICU, while it significantly improves the survivor's factual memory of ICU and sleep quality, and prevents the hyperarousal symptom. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IOR-16009109, registered on 28 August 2016.

Investigating the correlation of delirium after cardiac surgery with memories and posttraumatic stress disorder consequences of intensive care unit: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the differences in post-intensive care unit memory and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms between patients with and without delirium, and assess the correlations between the two. DESIGN: Prospective cohort observation study. SETTING: A cardiac intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in China. We enrolled 318 consecutive patients after cardiac surgery between December 2017 and March 2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU from intensive care unit admission to discharge. Intensive care unit memory was assessed using the ICU-Memory Tool through face-to-face interviews one week after discharge. Posttraumatic stress disorder was measured telephonically using the Impact of Events Scale-revised questionnaire at three months post-discharge. RESULTS: Eighty patients each in the delirium and non-delirium groups were enrolled for follow-up interviews. Patients with delirium had vaguer memories of pre-intensive care unit admission and of their stay, and recollected more memories of feelings (vs. without delirium). Posttraumatic stress disorder was diagnosed in 14 patients with and in seven without delirium, with non-significant differences between groups. Delirium did not influence post-intensive care unit factual, feeling, and delusional memories, nor posttraumatic stress disorder and hyperarousal, intrusion, and avoidance. The memories of feelings were positively correlated with the last three (r = 0.285, r = 0.390 and r = 0.373, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with delirium had vague intensive care unit memories. Memories of feelings were positively correlated with symptoms of hyperarousal, intrusion, and avoidance. Delirium did not influence factual, feeling, or delusional memories nor posttraumatic stress disorder incidence and symptoms. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Interventions are needed to reduce the impact of vague memory in patients with post-intensive care unit delirium. Memories of feelings should be focused on because of their correlation with hyperarousal, intrusion, and avoidance. Delirium prevention and early recognition measures are suggested.

Human plasma DNP level after severe brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between DNP level after human severe brain injury and hyponatremia as well as isorrhea. METHODS: The peripheral venous plasma as control was collected from 8 volunteers. The peripheral venous plasma from 14 severe brain injury patients were collected in the 1, 3, 7 days after injury. Radioimmunoassay was used to detect the DNP concentration. Meanwhile, daily plasma and urine electrolytes, osmotic pressure as well as 24 h liquid intake and output volume were detected. RESULTS: The normal adult human plasma DNP level was 62.46 pg/ml+/-27.56 pg/ml. In the experimental group, the plasma DNP levels were higher from day 1 to day 3 in 8 of the 14 patients than those in the control group (P(1)=0.05, P(3)=0.03). Negative fluid balance occurred in 8 patients and hyponatremia in 7 patients. The increase of plasma DNP level was significantly correlated with the development of a negative fluid balance (r =-0.69, P<0.01) and hyponatremia (chi(2) =4.38, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The increase of plasma DNP level is accompanied by the enhancement of natriuretic and diuretic responses in severe brain-injured patients, which is associated with the development of a negative fluid balance and hyponatremia after brain injury.

Relationship between pulse wave velocity and blood pressure classification and cardiovascular risk factors stratification in patients with essential hypertension / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between pulse wave velocity(PWV)and blood pressure classification and cardiovascular risk factors stratification in patients with essential hypertension. Methods Totally,390 patients with essential hypertension were recruited in the study and their carotid- femoral PWVs were recorded by an automatic pulse wave velocity measurement system.The patients were stratified by their cardiovascular risk factors.PWVs were compared between patients with varied blood pressures or with and without cardiovascular risk factors.Results There was no significant difference in PWV between patients of phase 1 and phase 2 hypertension,[(10.8?1.7)m/s vs.(11.9?1.2)m/s,P =0.398].PWV in patients with more than one risk factor was significantly higher than that in those with hypertension alone,[(10.4?1.4)m/s vs.(11.7?1.4)m/s,P=0.018].Conclusions PWV in hypertensive patients with one or more than one other risk factors was significantly higher than that in those without other risk factors.Cardiovascular risk factor might play a more important role in arterial stiffness.