Sahib Grewal, MD
Resident Physician
Loma Linda University Health, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Abdullah Alismail, PhD, RRT, , FCCP
Assistant Professor
Loma Linda University, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Veronica Kim
Respiratory Therapy Student
Loma Linda University, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Pamela Monterroso
Respiratory Therapy Student
Loma Linda University, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Christian Arias, BS, RRT
Respiratory Therapist
Loma Linda University, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Pranjal Patel, MD
Fellow Physician
Loma Linda University Health, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Niranjan Jeganathan, MD, M.S
Associate Professor
Loma Linda University Health, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Title: Prevalence and Characteristics of ICU memories in COVID-19 Survivors
Introduction: COVID 19 has long-lasting effects on survivors. Examining the memories pertaining to their ICU stay could facilitate the understanding of their long-term psychological health. The objective of this study is to examine the prevalence and characteristics of different memories related to their ICU stay in survivors of COVID-19.
Methods: This was a retrospective study of COVID-19 survivors evaluated for post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) in the outpatient clinic 3-6 months post-ICU stay. Data was extracted from the “ICU Memory Tool” administered in the clinic, as well as from the electronic medical database. Data were summarized using relative frequencies for qualitative variables and median (±IQR)/mean (±SD) for quantitative variables.
Results: We are reporting the data and analysis for 17 patients that were evaluated. Of these patients, 59% were male, with an average age of 47.6±13.1 years. The median ICU length of stay (LOS) was 9 days (IQR 2-34), and hospital LOS was 5 days (IQR 6-48). The percentage of patients requiring mechanical ventilation was 53%, non-invasive mechanical ventilation was 35.3% and high flow nasal cannula was 11.8%. Forty-one % of patients reported being unemployed and 59% did not return to the work they had been doing prior to their ICU stay. When asked about their hospital and ICU memory recall, 41% did not remember being in the ICU at all, 82% stated that they did not remember their ICU stay clearly, 47% recalled unexplained feelings of panic or apprehension/intrusive memories. Compared to non-intubated patients, those who were intubated were less likely to remember being in the ICU (p=0.04). Those who did not remember their ICU stay clearly were less likely to be employed (p=0.05) or return to the work they had previously been doing (p=0.01) compared to those who did remember their entire ICU stay.
Conclusion: A significant percentage of COVID-19 survivors did not remember their ICU stay or were not able to remember it clearly. However, many still remembered experiencing unpleasant feelings. Risk factors associated with specific ICU memories were identified. Understanding the prevalence and risk factors associated with the inability to recall their ICU stay or recalling unpleasant feelings is crucial to help with interventions to mitigate the long-term effects of PICS.