• P Saur, S Gatzert, and D Kettler.
• Zentrum Anaesthesiologie, Rettungs- und Intensivmedizin, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Deutschland. psaur@gwdg.de
• Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther. 2004 Sep 1;39(9):542-50.

ObjectiveIt is very important to investigate the patient's disability and pain. Interviews of intubated and tracheotomised patients were neglected because of inadaequate measuring methods. This is the first prospective study that evaluates the disability and pain of intubated and tracheotomised patients.MethodsDisability, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Visuelle Analogue Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale and structured questions were used to investigate the disability and pain of ventilated patients. 26 patients of an interdisciplinary operative intensive care unit took part in the study. Sociodemographic parameters, ventilation, sedation and pain were evaluated. Doctors and nurses were asked to assess the patient's pain and disability.Results17 intubated and 9 tracheotomised patients were included in the study. Mean intensity of pain was 30.3 (SD = 31.4), anxiety 40.8 (SD = 31.4), disability 30.0 (SD = 11.5) and disability caused by ventilation 61.9 (SD = 28.5). 46.2 % of the patients had a pathological subscale of anxiety and 50 % of depression in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Nurses assessed the patient's disability and pain better than the doctors.ConclusionA high disability has to be taken in account in the therapy of intubated and tracheotomised patients.

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