Complicated grief after XXXX of a relative in the intensive care unit.

@entity1 @entity204 @entity66 @entity308
UNASSIGNED: An increased proportion of @entity204 occur in the intensive care unit (ICU). We performed this prospective study in 41 ICUs to determine the prevalence and determinants of complicated grief after @entity204 of a loved one in the ICU. Relatives of 475 adult @entity1 were followed up. Complicated grief was assessed at 6 and 12   months using the Inventory of Complicated Grief (cut-off score >25). Relatives also completed the Hospital Anxiety and @entity308 Scale at 3   months, and the Revised Impact of Event Scale for post-traumatic @entity66 symptoms at 3, 6 and 12   months. We used a mixed multivariate logistic regression model to identify determinants of complicated grief after 6   months. Among the 475 @entity1 , 282 (59.4%) had a relative evaluated at 6   months. Complicated grief symptoms were identified in 147 (52%) relatives. Independent determinants of complicated grief symptoms were either not amenable to changes (relative of female sex, relative living alone and intensivist board certification before 2009) or potential targets for improvements (refusal of treatment by the @entity1 , @entity1 died while intubated, relatives present at the time of @entity204 , relatives did not say goodbye to the @entity1 , and poor communication between physicians and relatives). End-of-life practices, communication and loneliness in bereaved relatives may be amenable to improvements.
