Background: Family members of patients treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) during an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay are at risk of developing symptoms of anxiety, depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Coping strategies used by family members may play an important role in the severity of some of these symptoms. Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to describe coping strategies used by family members of ECMOtreated patients during ICU admission and recovery period. The secondary aim was to explore the course of the symptoms anxiety, depression, PTSD, and Health Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) over time. Methods: In this single-center prospective longitudinal study, validated questionnaires were used to measure coping strategies, symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD, and HRQOL in family members of ECMOtreated patients directly after the start of ECMO and at one and six months after the start of ECMO. Results: Family members (n = 26) mainly used problem-focused coping strategies. Symptoms of anxiety appeared to be most present during treatment but decreased over time, as did symptoms of depression and PTSD. HRQOL was severely affected, especially in the mental domain, and did not improve over time. Conclusion:In family members of ECMO-treated patients, problem-focused coping mechanisms were most prominent. Psychological functioning was impaired on admission but improved over time, although a mild reaction to stress remained.

BACKGROUNDThe COVID-19 pandemic causes high rates of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. After ICU-discharge patients and family members can suffer from persisting impairments known as ‘Post Intensive Care Syndrome’ (PICS) and PICS-family. Since COVID-19 is relatively new, there is barely any knowledge on the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 ICU-survivors and their family members.OBJECTIVESThis study aims to gain insight in the long-term physical, social and psychological functioning of COVID-19 ICU-survivors and their family members at three- and six-months following ICU discharge.METHODSA single-center, prospective cohort study was conducted in COVID-19 ICU-survivors and their family members. Enrolled participants received questionnaires at three and six months after ICU discharge. The MOS Short-Form General Health Survey, Clinical Frailty Scale, spirometry tests, McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD-GF6+), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and return to work were used to evaluate physical, social and psychological functioning.RESULTSSixty COVID-19 ICU-survivors and 78 family members participated. Physical functioning was impaired in ICU-survivors as reflected by a score of 33.3 (IQR 16.7-66.7) and 50 (IQR 16.7-83.3) on the physical functioning subscale at 3- and 6-months follow-up respectively. Diffusion lung capacity was reduced in 69% of patients. Ninety percent of the ICU-survivors reported persistent symptoms after 6 months. Social functioning was impaired as 90% of the COVID-19 ICU-survivors did not reach their pre-ICU employment level, 6 months after ICU-discharge. Psychological functioning in ICU-survivors was normal. Family members experienced worse employment status in 35% and 34% including a decrease in employment rate of 18.3% and 7.4% at 3- and 6-months post ICU-discharge, respectively. Psychologically, 63% of the family members reported ongoing impaired well-being due to the COVID-19 related mandatory physical distance to their relatives.CONCLUSIONWe have shown that COVID-19 ICU-survivors suffer from a prolonged burden of disease, prominent in physical- and social functioning, worse employment status and persisting symptoms in 90%. In addition, family members also report long term effects expressed by a reduction in return to work and impaired well-being. Further research needs to extend the follow up and to study the effects of standardized rehabilitation in COVID-19 patients and their family members.

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