Search

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Defic it intake of ω‐3 polyuns aturated fatty ac ids (PUFAs) may be as sociated with developm ent of PTSD. Methods: This study randomized mechanically ventilated patients suffering from multiple trauma (n = 150) into 2 groups: a study and a control group that received enteral feeding with or without fish oil. Fifty‐one patients were interviewed 6 months after discharge from the ICU. Psychometric parameters of PTSD were assessed by questionnaires. The fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes was performed by homogenization of the cells in hexane‐isopropanol. Results: No differences were found in baseline characteristics between the groups. Erythrocyte membrane composition showed significantly higher concentrations of ω‐3 fatty acids in the study group. Anxiety and depression symptoms were correlated with an increase in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on days 4 and 8 for depression and EPA on day 4 and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on day 8 for anxiety. Total ω‐3 content was positively correlated with anxiety and depression as well. An inverse correlation was found between DHA and EPA in the treatment group and with the total ω‐3 and DHA in the control group for the Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire. Conclusion: Administration of an ω‐3 PUFA–enriched diet during the ICU stay did not prevent development of PTSD in trauma patients 6 months after discharge from ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: evaluation of telomere length change in acutely ill adult patients. Design: Blood samples were drawn on the first and seventh day of intensive care unit (ICU) stay to assess telomere length using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technique. Demographic data collected included age, weight, admission diagnosis, baseline laboratory values (pH, C- reactive protein (CRP), serum albumin level, white blood cell count (WBC) count, platelet count), and baseline SOFA and APACHE II scores. Additional data collected during the ICU stay included a repeated WBC count, the presence of positive blood cultures and outcome data, including death in the ICU or following discharge, whether ventilated or not at ICU discharge, and destination following discharge, i.e., medical ward or rehabilitation. Setting: General ICU in tertiary hospital. Patients: Forty patients admitted to the ICU within 72 h of hospital admission suffering from an acute illness were included in this prospective, observational study. Main results: Of the 40 patients studied, telomere shortening was noted in 21, telomere lengthening in 11, and no significant change in the other eight. The age of patients demonstrating telomere shortening was statistically significantly younger (45.4 vs. 61.5 years, p < 0.023) compared to those showing increased telomere length. In addition, a significant correlation was observed between the difference in telomere length and the corresponding difference in WBC count (telomere shortening was associated with a decreased WBC count and vice versa). A trend toward shortening was seen in patients with sepsis (p = 0.07). No significant correlations were found for any other demographic or outcome parameter and changes in telomere length. Conclusion: Changes in telomere length, both shortening and lengthening, were evident in the acute setting, but no associations between such changes with outcome were noted. Further studies in more homogeneous groups of patients appear to be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]