Comparison of Short-Term Psychological Outcomes of Respiratory Failure Treated by Either Invasive or Non-Invasive Ventilation

BackgroundThere is now widespread recognition of the development of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals subjected to treatment in the hospital intensive care unit (ICU).ObjectiveThe authors sought to investigate traumatic aspects of the ICU hospitalization experience.MethodA group of 20 adult pulmonary patients requiring ventilation in the ICU were compared with 20 patients treated without ventilation. Subjects completed a semistructured interview about their hospital experience and were given self-report measures to assess PTSD and coping style.ResultsSubjects requiring invasive ventilation were significantly more likely to endorse symptoms of PTSD. There was a strong correlation between symptoms of PTSD and recall of memories of traumatic medical events. Symptoms of PTSD were positively associated with habitual experiences of distress and negatively associated with the use of denial of distress.ConclusionSpecific traumatic aspects of a patient's treatment, in this case the experience of intubation and mechanical ventilation, may be an additive risk factor for the development of PTSD.