Relationship between grip strength during hospitalisation and mental disorders after discharge in critically ill patients: a post-hoc analysis of a prospective observational study

ObjectivesPost-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is a recognised sequela after critical care. The development of an index that predicts PICS mental disorders will be of significance for the selection of subsequent interventions. The purpose of this study was to find factors associated with PICS mental disorders. We hypothesised that grip strength during hospitalisation may be associated with the PICS mental status after discharge.DesignA post-hoc analysis of a multicentre prospective observational study.SettingNine hospitals in Japan.ParticipantsPatients who were newly admitted to intensive care unit and stayed for at least 48 hours were included. Exclusion criteria were patients younger than 18 years, those who required assistance with ambulation prior to admission, those with concomitant central nervous system disorders and those with terminal conditions.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPsychiatric symptoms 3 months after discharge were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The HADS total score (HADS-total) was assigned as the primary outcome.Results98 patients were included into this study. Grip strength at discharge negatively correlated with HADS-total 3 months after discharge (r=−0.37, p