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Background Patients' anxiety on intensive care unit (ICU) admission is associated with subsequent deterioration. Objective To assess whether patients' fears/anxiety are predictive of new organ failure within 7 days of ICU admission. Methods In a prospective 3-center cohort study of noncomatose patients without delirium or invasive mechanical ventilation, 9 specific fears were evaluated through yes/no questions. Illness severity was assessed using the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). Intensity of acute and chronic anxiety was assessed with the state and trait components of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Patients were followed up for 7 days. Results From April 2014 to December 2017, 373 patients (median [IQR] age, 63 [48-74] years; 152 [40.8%] women; median (IQR) SAPS II, 27 [19-37]) were included. Feelings of vulnerability and fear of dying were reported by 203 (54.4%) and 172 (46.1%) patients, respectively. The STAIState score was 40 or greater in 192 patients (51.5%). Ninetyfour patients (25.2%) had new organ failure. Feelings of vulnerability (odds ratio, 1.96 [95% CI, 1.12-3.43]; P=.02) and absence of fear of dying (odds ratio, 2.38 [95% CI, 1.37-4.17]; P=.002) were associated with new organ failure after adjustment for STAI-State score (≥ 40), SAPS II, and SOFA score. Conclusion Absence of fear of dying is associated with new organ failure within the first 7 days after ICU admission. Fear of dying may protect against subsequent deterioration by mobilizing patients' homeostatic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author(s): Djillali Annane [sup.1], Marion Antona [sup.1], Blandine Lehmann [sup.2], Cecile Kedzia [sup.3], Sylvie Chevret [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.50550.35, 0000 0001 2175 4109, General ICU, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, AP-HP, [...], Purpose To analyze the hurdles in implementing a randomized trial of corticosteroids for severe 2009 H1N1 influenza infections. Methods This was an investigator-led, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of corticosteroids in ICU patients with 2009 H1N1 influenza pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation. The feasibility of and hurdles in designing and initiating a phase III trial in a short-lived pandemic crisis were analyzed. The regulatory agency and ethics committee approved the study's scientific, financial, and ethical aspects within 4 weeks. Hydrocortisone and placebo were prepared centrally and shipped to participating hospitals within 6 weeks. The inclusion period started on November 9, 2009. Results From August 1, 2009 to March 8, 2010, only 205/224 ICU patients with H1N1 infections required mechanical ventilation. The peak of the wave was missed by 2-3 weeks and only 26 patients were randomized. The two main reasons for non-inclusion were patients' admission before the beginning of the trial and ICU personnel overwhelmed by clinical duties. Parallel rather than sequential regulatory and ethics approval, and preparation and masking of study drugs by local pharmacists would have allowed the study to start 1 month earlier and before the peak of the 'flu' wave. A dedicated research team in each participating center would have increased the ratio of screened to randomized patients. Conclusion This report highlights the main hurdles in implementing a randomized trial for a pandemic critical illness and proposes solutions for future trials.

Objectives: Anxiety results from the anticipation of a threat and might be associated with poor outcome in the critically ill. This study aims at showing that anxiety at admission in critically ill patients is associated with new organ failure over the first 7 days of ICU hospitalization independently of baseline organ failure at admission.Design: Prospective multicenter cohort study.Setting: Three mixed ICU from April 2014 to December 2017.Patients: Coma-, delirium-, and invasive mechanical ventilation-free patients admitted to the ICU were included.Interventions: None.Measurements and Main Results: "State anxiety" was assessed using the state component of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory State. Severity of illness was measured using Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores. Primary endpoint was a composite of occurrence of death or new organ failure in the first 7 days after admission. Three hundred ninety-one patients were included; 159 of 391 women (40.7%); median age 63 years (49-74 yr); median Simplified Acute Physiology Score II 28 (19-37). Two hundred three out of 391 patients (51.9%) reported moderate to severe anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory State ≥ 40). One hundred two out of 391 patients (26.1%) developed a new organ failure. After adjustment to Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory State greater than or equal to 40 was associated with the primary endpoint (odds ratio, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.18-3.18; p = 0.009) and respiratory failure. In post hoc analysis, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory State greater than or equal to 40 was associated with new organ failure independently and notably of respiratory status at admission (dyspnea-Visual Analogic Scale and PaCO2 ≥ 45 mm Hg).Conclusions: Moderate to severe anxiety at ICU admission is associated with early occurrence of new organ failure in critically ill patients, independently of respiratory status and severity of critical illness. The causality link could be addressed in an interventional trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe the characteristics, management, and outcome of patients admitted to ICUs for pheochromocytoma crisis.Design: A 16-year multicenter retrospective study.Setting: Fifteen university and nonuniversity ICUs in France.Patients: Patients admitted in ICU for pheochromocytoma crisis.Interventions: None.Measurement and Main Results: We included 34 patients with a median age of 46 years (40-54 yr); 65% were males. At admission, the median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 8 (4-12) and median Simplified Acute Physiology Score II 49.5 (27-70). The left ventricular ejection fraction was consistently decreased with a median value of 30% (15-40%). Mechanical ventilation was required in 23 patients, mainly because of congestive heart failure. Vasoactive drugs were used in 23 patients (68%) and renal replacement therapy in eight patients (24%). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used as a rescue therapy in 14 patients (41%). Pheochromocytoma was diagnosed by CT in 33 of 34 patients. When assayed, urinary metanephrine and catecholamine levels were consistently elevated. Five patients underwent urgent surgery, including two during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Overall ICU mortality was 24% (8/34), and overall 90-day mortality was 27% (9/34). Crude 90-day mortality was not significantly different between patients managed with versus without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (22% vs 30%) (p = 0.7) despite higher severity scores at admission in the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation group.Conclusions: Mortality is high in pheochromocytoma crisis. Routinely considering this diagnosis and performing abdominal CT in patients with unexplained cardiogenic shock may allow an earlier diagnosis. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and adrenalectomy should be considered as a therapeutic in most severe cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]