Psychosomatic medicine
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Psychosomatic medicine · Mar 2005
Comparative StudyRelative-assessed psychological factors predict sedation requirement in critically ill patients.
Sedation is frequently required in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients. Sedation and analgesia requirements may vary substantially among patients. This study examined whether psychological factors predict amount of sedation requirements beyond the effects of other biomedical parameters. ⋯ Premorbid psychological profile independently predicts sedation requirement in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients. Early identification of such a profile may help in sedation management and patient care. The possible mechanisms and clinical implications are discussed.