Table 1 Descriptive characteristics of the dyads of patients with chronic critical illness and their partners (n = 70)
Characteristic | Patients | Life partner/ Spouse | U/ χ2/Z | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Age, years, median (IQR) | 61.6 (56.1–66.1) | 60.6 (53.7–64.5) | − 2.429 | .015* (Z)a |
Gender, n (%) | ||||
Male | 53 (75.7) | 17 (24.3) | ||
Female | 17 (24.3) | 53 (75.7) | 17.500 | < .001*** (χ2)b |
Family status, n (%) | ||||
Married | 63 (90.0) | |||
Cohabited | 7 (10.0) | |||
Characteristics of relationship, median (IQR) | ||||
Length of partnership (years)c | 37.0 (26.5–42.5) | |||
Satisfaction with relationship (1–10)c | 10.0 (8.0–10.0) | |||
satisfying) to 10 (very satisfying) to 10 (very closeness of relationship (1–10) | 10.0 (9.0–10.0) | |||
Living together in mutual household, yes/no, n (%)c | 66 (94.3)/3 (4.3) | |||
Caring for ill patient at the moment, yes/no, n (%) | 44 (62.9)/26 (37.1) | |||
Education, n (%)d | ||||
< 10 years | 19 (27.1) | |||
≥ 10 years | 48 (68.6) | |||
ICU stay, days median (IQR) | 62.5 (45.5–99.5) | |||
Mechanical ventilation, days, median (IQR) | 48.5 (28.8–76.0) | |||
Sepsis, n (%) | ||||
No sepsis | 27 (38.6) | |||
Sepsis | 22 (31.4) | |||
Severe sepsis or septic shock | 21 (30.0) | |||
Site of infection, n (%) | ||||
Respiratory | 33 (47.1) | |||
Urinary/genitals | 7 (10.0) | |||
Abdominal | 7 (10.0) | |||
Bones/soft tissue | 3 (4.3) | |||
Wound infection | 1 (1.4) | |||
Heart | 1 (1.4) | |||
Multiple | 7 (10.0) | |||
Otherse | 3 (4.3) | |||
Unknown | 1 (1.4) | |||
Barthel-Index, median (IQR) | ||||
At admission at post-acute ICU | − 195.0 (− 225.0 to − 95.0) | |||
At discharge from post-acute ICU | − 25.0 (− 80.0–10.0) | |||
At discharge from rehabilitation | 67.5 (20.0–85.0) | |||
Time following ICU discharge, months, median (IQR) | 4.7 (3.8–6.3) Min 3.0, Max 9.2 | 4.8 (3.9–6.5) Min 3.8, Max 9.2 | − 3.325 | .001*** (Z)a |