Research Paper: Anxiety, Depression, and Their Related Factors in Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units

Background: Anxiety and depression are among the most common psychological symptoms in patients with life-threatening illnesses, and have a close relationship with hospitalization in specialized care units. Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating anxiety and depression and their related factors in patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Materials & Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study conducted on 135 patients hospitalized in ICUs (neuro ICU and general ICU) of Poursina Medical Education Center in Rasht City, Iran. The patients were selected by convenience sampling method. The study data were collected using a checklist surveying demographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics of the patients, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Then, the obtained data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests in SPSS V. 18. Results: The Mean±SD anxiety and depression scores of the study patients were 6.12±9.3 and 7.10±2.3, respectively. There was a significant relationship between short-term hospitalization and anxiety (P=0.03), and a high score of depression was observed in those with middle-school education (P=0.03) and non-invasive ventilation (P=0.01). Moreover, administration of sedatives (P=0.001) and tracheostomy ventilation (P=0.04), showed a significant correlation with depression. Conclusion: Anxiety and depression (symptoms of mood disorders) among ICU patients were relatively high and the duration of hospitalization was significantly associated with anxiety. Moreover, the administration of sedative drugs had significant correlation with depression. In addition, the type of received mechanical ventilation was associated with both disorders. Routine screening of anxiety and depression by nurses in ICUs is useful for early treatment, and can prevent long-term complications of these disorders.